Drug war claims more lives in Central, Northern Luzon

More suspects were killed last week as the government intensified its war against illegal drugs even as motive of some fatalities’ murder has yet to be known.

Pangasinan 

Jessie Oliveros, 36, was sleeping at his house in Barangay San Vicente West in Pozzorubio, Pangasinan when two men entered and shot him twice.

Rolando Mejia, 59, chairman of Barangay Calaocan in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, was driving his motorcycle when an unidentified man on another motorcycle shot him.

Mejia was pronounced dead on arrival at the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug. 

Traffic enforcer Renato Dizon, 43, was gunned down in Barangay Agdao in San Carlos City in Pangasinan also by unidentified motorcycle-riding men.

Nicanor Gonzales, 60, was earlier shot dead by motorcycle-riding men as he was walking in Barangay Caingal, San Carlos City on Jan. 7.

Probers recovered four bullet shells for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

On the same day, police arrested Brian Caacbay, 27, following a sting in nearby Barangay Concordia.

Ilocos Sur

Farmer Melchor Sagay-oc, 56, was walking on his way home when he was gunned down in Barangay Concepcion in Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. The assailants also hacked the victim’s head.

Cagayan

In Cagayan, Jennifer Simon, 18, and her brother Jerome, 17, were critically wounded when motorcycle-riding men opened fire.

The siblings were on their way home after watching a basketball game in Barangay Mabnang when the attack occurred. 


Police said the victims do not have any criminal record and are not on their drug watchlist.

Bulacan

A man known only as Hugar allegedly fired at police officers during a drug sting in Sitio Kataasan, Barangay Bagbaguin in Pandi, Bulacan Thursday.

Police said Hugar was a known drug pusher in the town.

Suspected vigilantes shot dead Roberto Reyes, 35, a resident of Barangay San Martin in San Jose del Monte City and Jonathan de Guzman, 37, of Pulo, San Rafael, both in Bulacan.

Reyes was shot as he arrived at his house. Four bullet shells for a .45-caliber pistol and a piece of paper identifying the victim as a drug pusher were found near his body.

De Guzman was driving his tricycle when a man opened fire.

Fatalities were on the drug watchlist in their respective barangays.

A drug suspect was killed in an alleged firefight with police officers in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Jay-R Salvador allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at the officers during a sting in Barangay Caypombo, Sta. Maria town Tuesday.

The lawmen retaliated, killing Salvador at the scene.

The suspect’s companion managed to escape on a motorcycle during the firefight.

Police said they recovered five plastic sachets said to contain shabu, a .38 caliber revolver and marked money from Salvador.

Caoayan City

Presley Nacionales, 45, was driving his motorcycle on his way home from a drinking spree in Barangay Minante Uno in Cauayan City when he was shot.  


Nine bullet shells for a caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the scene.

Abra

In Tineg, village watchman Edgardo Sagudang, 29, was gunned down by unidentified men in Barangay Agsimao.


Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killings

Isabela

In Isabela, police are looking into illegal drugs as the motive for the ambush of Ronald Roxas, 36, a resident of Barangay Rosario in Santiago City Monday night.

Initial investigation showed Roxas was driving his motorcycle when he was waylaid near an abandoned irrigation road at around 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

Pampanga

In Pampanga, a suspected drug trafficker posing as a police officer was arrested in Mabalacat town on Friday.

Frederic Bacani, 40, was allegedly wearing a police uniform when he sold shabu worth P1,000 to undercover agents.

Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino said  a day before the sting, his men received reports that a certain “Bacani” was peddling shabu in police uniform.

The suspect allegedly introduced himself as a police officer to undercover agents, who seized from him 14 plastic sachets said to contain shabu, a .45 caliber pistol and drug paraphernalia.

Still in Pampanga, a suspected drug trafficker posing as a police officer was arrested in Mabalacat town on Jan 7.

Frederic Bacani, 40, was allegedly wearing a police uniform when he sold shabu worth P1,000 to undercover agents.

The suspect allegedly introduced himself as a police officer to undercover agents, who seized from him 14 plastic sachets said to contain shabu, a .45 caliber pistol and drug paraphernalia. – Ric Sapnu, Eva Visperas and Raymund Catindig