Eight drug suspects killed; 32 arrested

More fatalities were reported last week as government stepped up its war on drugs.

Six persons, including four suspected drug personalities, were killed in separate incidents in Luzon on Wednesday.

Arvin Urbano allegedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to policemen who posed as buyers in Barangay Research Minante 1 in Cauayan, Isabela.

Edwardo Revarez, 36, was driving his tricycle with his son when he was shot by unidentified men in front of an elementary school in Barangay Buag in Bambang town. 

The victim was on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, but did not surrender, police said.

Meanwhile, Jenalyn Rosimo, 21, was walking toward a jeepney terminal along Otek street in Baguio City when a man appeared from behind and shot her at close range.

Jose Luis Cabrera, 40, chairman of Barangay Bayugo in Meycauayan, Bulacan, as well as Gilbert de la Cruz and Benito Gandeza, councilmen of Barangay Mabuno, Gattaran, Cagayan and Vista Alegre, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, respectively, were among “high-value” drug pushers arrested in police operations also on Wednesday.

Another drug suspect was killed in an alleged shootout with anti-drug operatives while two others were gunned down by suspected vigilantes Wednesday.

An alias Rolly, a resident of  Barangay Bagna in Malolos, Bulacan reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to policemen who posed as buyers at around 2:25 a.m.  

Construction worker Edgardo Najera, 33, was walking in Sitio Dike, Barangay Banga 2nd in Plaridel also in Bulacan when he was shot.

Police said the fatalities were on the drug watchlist in their areas.

Meanwhile, police are not ruling out illegal drugs as the motive for the shooting that killed burger stand attendant Rachelle del Rosario in Barangay Patul, Santiago, Isabela also Wednesday. Two men on a motorcycle were seen leaving the area after the incident.

At least 32 others were arrested in Luzon the past two days.

Among those arrested was Florante Duarte, chairman of Barangay Viga in Lasam, Cagayan; Alden Jake de la Cruz, who was ranked seventh on the drug watchlist of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Jessie Calinga, 13th on the list of drug personalities in Alicia, Isabela.

Senior Insp. Leon Umbrero Jr., Lasam police chief, said sachets of shabu, explosives, a caliber .45 pistol and ammunition were recovered during a raid on Duarte’s house.

Duarte’s arrest came after his barangay was declared “drug-free.”

Ten other drug suspects were arrested in San Jose del Monte, Pulilan, Balagtas and Pandi in Bulacan; four in Olongapo; six each in Angeles, Pampanga and Pandag, Maguindanao, two in Laguna  and one in Ilocos Norte.

– Ric Sapnu, Raymund Catindig