By Alexandria San Juan
Seven people, including alleged drug personalities and carnappers, were killed after engaging in a shootout with policemen during separate operations in Quezon City early Wednesday.
Investigators of the Quezon City Police District said that three of the slain suspects were only known through their aliases while the rest remain unidentified.
(Flickr / MANILA BULLETIN)
The first victim was identified as certain "Joel," who was killed during a drug bust in Barangay Sto. Domingo around 2:55 a.m.
Operatives of the QCPD-La Loma Police Station (PS-1) Drug Enforcement Unit set a drug deal with "Joel," along Samar Street near corner Sto. Domingo Street.
A police poseur buyer purchased P500 worth of illegal drugs from "Joel," prompting other officers to respond and arrest the suspect.
However, "Joel," upon sensing the presence of the operatives, drew his firearm and shot at them resulting in a shootout which led to his death.
A caliber 38 revolver and spent shells were recovered in the crime scene while six sachets of shabu and the marked money were found in the suspect's pocket.
At past 3 a.m. Wednesday, three men yet to be identified died in an encounter with police officers who flagged them down after learning that the taxi they were driving was carnapped.
Prior to the incident, a 43-year-old taxi driver sought help from members of QCPD-Galas Police Station (PS-11) after three armed men took away his personal belongings and vehicle.
According to the victim, he was driving along Commonwealth Avenue when two of the suspects, posing as passengers, flagged him down.
The men instructed the driver to fetch one of their friends along West Avenue which he obeyed.
The three then asked him to proceed in Barangay Mariana where they would alight.
While traveling towards the destination, the suspects pointed their guns at the cabbie and declared the heist.
After getting the driver's earnings and belongings, the men pushed the victim outside the cab and sped off.
The victim reported the incident to nearby police station which was relayed to its various units.
Personnel of PS-11 conducting a checkpoint along University Avenue in Barangay San Vicente spotted the taxi bearing plate number UVC 993 reported as having been carnapped.
Authorities flagged them down, but instead of stopping, suspects tried to evade arrest and fled the scene, resulting in a brief chase.
The suspects fired at chasing officers, who retaliated resulting in the death of the three unidentified men.
Police were able to recover the victim's taxi and belongings including his wallet containing his cards and cash worth at least P5,000.
Firearms, bladed weapons, and six sachets of shabu were also seized from the suspects.
At about 3:15 a.m., an alleged drug peddler identified by the police as Marjun Clemente was killed in a buy bust which led to a shootout in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa.
Clemente and his companion, Nicole Rosales, who was eventually arrested in the operation, were alleged notorious drug peddlers in their area, said the police.
Anti-narcotics operatives of QCPD-Masambong Police Station (PS-2) conducted a drug sting against the duo along Sebastian Street.
When the police consumed the deal with Rosales, Clemente, who was standing in front of his house, sensed that his cohort was transacting with a police, and noticed the presence of other officers in the area.
Clemente pulled out his handgun and shot at the responding policemen, hitting PO2 Eddieson Guillermo on his right hand, forcing other operatives to fire back, hitting the suspect on his head and body.
Police officers rushed Clemente to Quezon City General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
A caliber 38 Armscor revolver and four sachets of shabu were recovered in the suspect's possession.
The last encounter happened around 6:40 a.m. between operatives of the QCPD and two alleged drug personalities identified by the police only as certain "Bong," and certain "Lito."
Police sources said that operatives of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) and District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU) of QCPD conducted a buy-bust against the suspects.
However, upon sensing that they were transacting with undercover policemen, the duo fired at them.
Other operatives pre-positioned in the area shot back against the suspects, resulting in their deaths.
Seized were one 9mm pistol, a caliber 38 revolver, several sachets of shabu, and the marked money.