Malabon City has already reported at least seven killings for the past two weeks alone, the local government said Tuesday.
In a statement, the local government added that Mayor Lenlen Oreta already called on the city police "to step-up intervention and heighten coordination with the local government unit" in a bid to address "these crime issues toward its speedy resolution."
This came after the most controversial, which involved a government official, happened on January 11. Barangay Hulong Duhat chairman Anthony Velasquez, 41, was killed by two gunmen right in his own backyard.
According to the local government, Velasquez was "shrouded with controversy" after he "was included in a 'drug watch list' four years ago." However, he and his family "belied" the allegation, saying it was "maliciously motivated by rivals in politics."
Before his death, Velasquez told city officials he was receiving death threats supposedly due to the anti-drug campaign he enforced.
He also "took active part in buy-bust operations," which led him to "unfortunately 'stepped-over' the Zapanta Group, an alleged drug ring headed by a former policeman dismissed for involvement in drug trafficking," the local government said.
Here are the other deaths recorded in the city, according to the statement released by the local government:
1. Sonny Boy Pardillo, 39, who was walking along P. Aquino St. in Tonsuya, was shot dead on Jan. 10.
2. Valentino Espinosa, 34, who was only sleeping in his shanty on P. Concepcion St. in Barangay Tugatog, was also shot dead on Jan. 9.
3. Marlon Santiago "was fired upon by two attackers leaving him dead in his home on Plata St. in Barangay Tugatog on Jan. 8."
4. Ace Bade, 37, "was murdered in a billiard joint also in Tonsuya on Jan. 7."
5. Rodolfo Carpentero, 46, "was also shot by unidentified criminals" at point-blank range along Kagitingan St. on Jan. 5
6. Yasser Ampuan, 21, a security guard, died of "shotgun attack by his co-workers on Dec. 27."
According to the local government, the incidents already prompted Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, the director of the Northern Police District (NPD), to deploy 100 additional men "to augment" the existing police force of the city.
Manila Bulletin reached out to Malabon police chief Col. Angela Rejano regarding the updates of the said incidents. She has yet to reply.