Barangay watchman slain
A barangay watchman known for his active participation in the war against drugs was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding man in Caloocan City, a day after Oplan Tokhang's relaunch.
Alberto Pineda, 49, Barangay 178 watchman, died on the spot after he sustained two bullet wounds in the head, police said.
At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Pineda was onboard a mobile patrol cab waiting for his co-workers in front of a barangay outpost along Purok La Loma when a motorcycle-riding man appeared and fired shot towards him.
A barangay volunteer who witnessed the incident was ordered by the gunman to enter the barangay outpost before the suspect fled.The volunteer told police that the gunman was wearing a black jacket and a cap.
Recovered from the scene were two empty shells and two deformed slugs of an unknown caliber of firearm.
Relatives of Pineda told investigators that he was a good man. However, his wife said that prior to the incident, Pineda received death threats through messages.
Sr. Insp. Dennis Odtuhan, Caloocan Police North Extension Office head, said they are looking into Pineda's active participation in the anti-criminality campaign as the possible motive behind the killing.
"He knew drug personalities in the area, so we are looking into that," Odtuhan said. (Kate Javier)
2 drug users arrested
Two alleged drug users, including an 18-year-old robbery suspect, were nabbed during simultaneous anti-criminality campaign in Caloocan City on Tuesday.
First to fall at the hands of the authorities was Rey Asis Jr., 18, jobless, of Kawal Street in Barangay 28, Caloocan City.
Barangay watchmen apprehended Asis after he allegedly robbed a house along Binangonan Street around 11:30 a.m.
The arresting officers then asked Asis to empty his pocket where they reportedly found a sachet of marijuana leaves.
Around 10 p.m., police nabbed Joneddie Malenag, 36, jobless, of Barangay 132 in Caloocan City.
Elements from Police Community Precinct 1 were conducting an Oplan Galugad along General Conception when they saw Malenag not wearing a shirt.
Upon frisking, a sachet of alleged shabu was found in Malenag's pocket, police said.
Charges will be filed against Asis and Malenag who are now detained at the Caloocan police detention cell. (Kate Javier)
Argument, grudge nearly fatal
A heated argument and an old grudge nearly cost the lives of two men in separate stabbing incidents in Tondo, Manila.
SPO1 Luis Santos identified the victim as 44-year-old Leo Pitiquen of Jose Abad Santos Ave., Tondo, Manila and the suspect as 40-year-old Jerry Labratigue of the same location.
Initial investigation revealed that both Pitiquen and Labratigue were having a drinking session in front of the former’s house at around 1:45 a.m. yesterday when the victim’s cousin, Edward Pitiquen, heard a commotion involving the two.
He then saw the victim lying on the pavement with several stab wounds on the chest, prompting him to bring Pitiquen to Jose R. Reyes Memorial Center for immediate medical attention.
At around 3:37 a.m. SPO1 Santos received a call from the aforementioned medical institution, reporting the incident.
Elements of P. Algue Police Community Precinct arrested the suspect, who hid inside his house after the incident; Police seized the knife that he used.
Pitiquen is now in a stable condition.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old out-of-school youth was stabbed after a heated argument allegedly stemming from an old grudge between him and the suspect.
The victim, identified by the police as 17-year-old Reniel Jay Palacio of Benita St., Barangay 180, Tondo, Manila was reportedly walking along Bulacan St., with his friends when they crossed paths with the suspect, solely identified as “Jasper”, and his friends.
A heated argument involving the two allegedly ensued, developed into a fistfight and later escalated into a stabbing incident.
Palacio received multiple stab wounds on different parts of his body and was brought by his friends at Ospital ng Tondo where he is currently recovering. (Hans Amancio)