Slay of drug suspects up in north, Central Luzon

MORE DRUG SUSPECTS were killed in North and Central Luzon last week.

William Medina, 31 had just came from a Zumba session for drug surrenderees when two motorcycle-riding men shot him as he was standing in front of his residence in Barangay Magsaysay, Alicia, Isabela night of Aug. 27.

Chief Inspector Santos Tecbobolan, town police chief, said neighbors rushed Medina to a hospital, but he did not make it alive.

Police have yet to determine if the killing was drug-related.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old William Medina had just came from a Zumba session for drug surrenderees when two motorcycle-riding men shot him as he was standing in front of his residence in Barangay Magsaysay, Alicia, Isabela night of Aug. 26.

Chief Inspector Santos Tecbobolan, town police chief, said neighbors rushed Medina to a hospital, but he did not make it alive.

Police have yet to determine if the killing was drug-related.

In Bulacan, the bodies of seven unidentified men, believed to be victims of summary execution, were found in the province. 

Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, said they received reports the bodies were dumped along Liana road in Barangay Tungkong Mangga in San Jose Del Monte City.  

Caramat said the faces of the victims were wrapped in packing tape and their hands bound with straw.

Their bodies bore placards that read: “pusher wag tularan (pusher don’t emulate).”

Three men were killed in alleged shootouts with police in Tarlac, Bulacan and Pampanga. They were identified as a certain Alex, Harvy Gabia, 35, and Eric de la Cruz.

In Ilocos Sur,  Michael Molina was driving his Pajero with Roger del Castillo after bringing their children to school in Barangay 2 in Vigan City when unidentified men  opened fire, said Chief Insp. Greg Guerrero, Ilocos Sur police spokesman.


Molina managed to drive to the St. James Hospital where he and Del Castillo died while being treated.

Guerrero said the fatalities were on their drug watchlist and surrendered under OplanTokhang recently.

Drug users up in Baguio

In Baguio, the city government expressed alarm over increasing number of drug users and pushers in its 128 barangays.

“Nakakagulat talaga, sa kabila ng mahigpit na kampanya natin sa droga noon pa man  ay hindi ko sukat akalain na buong barangay sa lungsod ay apektado na.Malakingt ulong ang ginawang boluntaryong pag-surender parama tulungan sila at magawa natin na drug free ang  ating tourist city,”(It is startling that despite all-out anti-illegal drugs campaigns in the past, a large part of the city is now affected.  The surrender of the drug users and pushers, however, is a boost in our drive to help them and at the same time rid our tourist city of the drug menace),  said Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

He said the city is willing to help in the rehabilitation process of drug users.

“Before we can help, they should first start to help themselves,” said Domogan.

 Baguio City Police Office records showed that 882 drug users and pushers have so far surrendered and are being monitored by the police and barangay officials.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office together with stakeholders are also holding seminars.

“The CSWDO will screen and validate the extent of addiction of the surrenderees who really need rehabilitation and will provide medical and financial assistance if they are qualified,” said Domogan.

Brilliant idea

Esteemed film director Brillante Mendoza said that based on research, most  victims of drug abuse are not fully aware of the ill-effects of  illegal drugs.

“They don’t have an idea that illegal drugs could ruin their lives and even in their personal relationships as well as their talent,” he said.

“Kaya dapat makiisa ang lahat ng television channels naipakita sa buong bansa ang masamang epekto ng droga at maging  sa mga radio stations at isigawang mga malalagim na pangyayaring dulot sa paggamitng  ipinagbabawal nag amot (That is why television and radio stations nationwide should air messages on the ill, dire, grim effects and consequences of  illegal drugs),”  the award winning director said.

Meanwhile, Mendoza thanks the municipal government of Baliuag for supporting the launch of his film workshop.

Pangasinan incidents

 The police arrested one drug pusher while six other drug suspects voluntarily surrendered in Brgy. Bantog, Asingan, Pangasinan.

Chief Inspector Ryan L. Manongdo  identified the arrested suspect as Jesus V Caparas III, also known as “Pitong”, 29.

 Caparas was arrested after selling a sachet of shabu to undercover law enforcement authorities.

He will be charged with violation of Section 5 of RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Meanwhile, the six drug suspects from  Barangay  Sobol, voluntarily showed up and  surrendered to Asingan Police.

Cagayan

One drug suspect was killed in an alleged shootout with undercover agents during a sting in Barangay Luga, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan on Aug. 28.


Senior Inspector Aleeh Bacuyag, Sta. Teresita police chief, identified the fatality as Bernie Ariola, 24, alias Anning, a resident of Barangay Mission.


Bacuyag said Ariola resisted arrest after handing three sachets of shabu worth P1,000 to a police who posed as a buyer.

In Nueva Vizcaya, Samson Quirubin died in an alleged shootout with police operatives in Barangay Vista Alegre in Bayombong town.

Chief Inspector Jenifer Flores, Bayombong police chief, said Quirubin surrendered under OplanTokhang, but continued his illegal activities.

In Isabela, a tricycle driver, whose partner was a drug suspect was killed by an identified men in Barangay 4 District 4 in Tumauini town on Sunday.

RufoCanibas, a resident of Barangay San Juan in Delfin Albano town was not on the drug watchlist, said Police Officer 3 Redentor Cagurangan.

In Quirino, municipal veterinarian Alexander Cabe, 45, and his partner Aple Grace Mones were arrested in a sting in Barangay Villa Ventura, Aglipay town. 


Two sachets of shabu were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

Senior Inspecor Gary Macadangdang, Aglipay police chief, said Cabe was on their drug watchlist.