Drugs eyed in Pasay ambush

MANILA, Philippines — Investigators are eyeing illegal drugs as a motive in an ambush in Pasay City on Thursday that left a couple and their companion dead.

Citing the information it has gathered so far, the Pasay police said the shooting that killed Philip Jay Tan, his wife Lilian and Richard Kevin has something to do with prohibited drugs.

“Possible may ka-meeting sila doon. Ang tinitingnan namin ‘yung possible motive is drugs (They may have had a meeting there. We are looking at drugs as a possible motive),” Capt. Dennis Desalisa of the city police’s investigation and detective management branch said in an interview over dzBB radio.

A relative of one of the victims said they are involved in the illegal drug trade, Desalisa said.

An investigation report said a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was found on Philip Jay Tan’s person.

According to witnesses, the victims were in a white Honda Civic when two unidentified assailants approached and fired at them several times.

Gunned down

Meanwhile, a man who was previously arrested for involvement in illegal drugs was shot dead in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon.

Alvin Alejo had just parked his motorcycle along Everlasting street in Barangay Payatas A when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle at around 2:30 p.m., police said.

He died at the scene. The assailants sped off toward Jasmin street.

Maj. Don Don Llapitan, who heads the police district’s criminal investigation and detection unit, said Alejo was once involved in illegal drugs and theft, based on their records.

Police are looking for leads to determine the assailants’ identities.