ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A suspected drug user was shot dead by police officers after he allegedly hacked dead four boys and a farmer in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday.
Armed with a bladed weapon, Asgal Kalas Ontong, 34, reportedly killed farmer Madjid Halis, 35; Saidemar Callon Wahid, 11, and seven-year-old boys Mohammad Bra Said Mocaddam, Nasser Pablo Halis and Hadimar Pablo Halis.
The boys were playing in Barangay Pulang Lupa when the suspect reportedly attacked them, according to Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson for the Zamboanga regional police.
The older Halis tried to stop the suspect, but he too was killed.
Ontong reportedly tried to attack the responding police officers, prompting them to shoot him.
Probers said Ontong was under the influence of shabu.
Meanwhile, a drug suspect who had just been released from jail was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Tuguegarao on Saturday.
Clifford Bares, 48, was buying cigarettes in Barangay Centro 10 when he was killed. He died at the scene.
Probers recovered from Bares copies of his discharge order and resolution of the dismissal of the case signed by Tuguegarao Judge Jezarene Aquino.
Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.
In Pampanga, authorities yesterday arrested Akil Imam after they recovered P2.5 million worth of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia from his house in Magalang town.
The raid was conducted by a joint team of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Imam, a native of Mindanao, was detained at the PDEA jail at Camp Olivas. – With Raymund Catindig, Ding Cervantes