ROUNDUP: News in and around Metro Manila (July 10, 2019)


Notorious drug pusher killed in Valenzuela bust

An alleged notorious drug pusher was killed in a shootout following a buy-bust operation along MacArthur Highway at Barangay Dalandanan in Valenzuela City on Tuesday night.

Police identified the slain suspect as Federico Velasco, alias “Manok,” who is a resident in the area.

Elements of the Valenzuela City Police Station Intelligence Branch and the Station Drug Enforcement Unit conducted the sting at about 7:15 p.m.

According to a report, a poseur buyer bought a sachet of suspected shabu worth P200 from Velasco.

The suspect, sensing an entrapment, drew his short firearm and shot the poseur buyer twice on his left thigh.

The back-up operatives retaliated and hit Velasco on the different parts of his body.

Both the suspect and the poseur buyer were rushed to the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, but Velasco was pronounced dead on arrival at about 7:17 p.m.

Ten sachets of suspected shabu and P300 in cash were retrieved from the suspect.

Also recovered from the crime scene were a caliber 357 revolver loaded with four live ammunition and two fired cartridge cases inside its chamber.

The seized pieces of evidence were brought to the Northern Police District (NPD) Crime Laboratory Office for examination.

The suspect’s body was brought to an NPD-accredited morgue for autopsy. (Minka Klaudia Tiangco)

Several allegedly stolen vehicles and a hand grenade seized from 2 suspects

Several allegedly stolen vehicles and a hand grenade were recovered from two suspects at Barangay 167 in Caloocan City on Tuesday afternoon.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Leovy Orfila, 44, businessman; and Armando Igayan, 51, jobless; both residents of the area.

Meanwhile, their cohorts Ronald Alejo and two still unidentified men remain at-large.

According to a report, an arrest warrant was issued against Orfila by Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 35 Presiding Judge Maria Ella Cecilia Dumlao-Escalante.

Orfila is facing charges for violation of Republic Act (R.A.) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, R.A. 9516, R.A. 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, and Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law.

It was also found that Igayan’s real name is Armando Dela Cruz. He reportedly used a fake name to hide from the police after being charged in a previous case.

Elements of the Caloocan City Police Station Anti-Carnapping Unit (CCPS-ANCAR) and the Highway Patrol Group Task Force Limbas served Orfila’s arrest warrant at about 2:45 p.m.

Igayan was also caught by authorities while tampering, repainting, and dismantling the engine of a vehicle without a permit from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which led to his arrest.

Recovered from the suspects were a white Toyota Hi-Ace car, a white Mitsubishi L-300 FB vehicle, a fake Mitsubishi L-300 FB vehicle, a suspected fake Toyota Grandia car, a magenta MC Mio Sporty motorcycle, and a brown Honda CRV.

Also retrieved from the suspects were a hand grenade, numerous fake plate numbers, a spray gun, an air compressor, and a container of white paint.

The seized pieces of evidence were brought to the CCPS-ANCAR for verification.

The arrested suspects are now under police custody and will be facing appropriate charges.

Follow-up operation is ongoing for the arrest of the suspect’s cohorts as the investigation is ongoing. (Minka Klaudia Tiangco)

Barangay watcher shot dead in Manila

A barangay tanod team leader was gunned down by a gunman in Parola Compound, Manila on Tuesday afternoon.

Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Division chief Capt. Henry Navarro identified the victim as Dario Habal, an executive officer (Ex-O) of Barangay 275.

He was rushed to Gat Andres Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival after sustaining gunshot wounds on his head.

Initial investigation showed that Habal was sitting in front of his store when the suspect shot him. Moments after, the gunman fled towards unknown direction.

It was learned that Habal was a childhood friend of Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso.

Follow up investigation is now underway to apprehend the gunman and to establish the motive behind the killing. (Erma Edera)