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Manila Bulletin devider devider ROUNDUP: News in and around Metro Manila (Feb. 20, 2019)

ROUNDUP: News in and around Metro Manila (Feb. 20, 2019)

Published Feb 20, 2019 09:08 pm
Drug peddler killed in Sta. Cruz buy-bust operation A suspected drug peddler who was a gang member was gunned down by policemen after he allegedly resisted arrest during a buy-bust operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday. Police identified the slain suspect as Jomar Bigkas, 21, member of Sigue-Sigue Commando Gang and resident of Baseco Compound, Port Area, Tondo, Manila. He was rushed to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center but he was declared dead on arrival after sustaining gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body. Investigation showed that Sta. Cruz Police Station conducted a buy-bust operation against the suspect along Old Antipolo Street beside the Philippine National Railway near corner Elias Street, Barangay 349 Zone 35, Sta. Cruz, Manila at around 11:20 p.m. on Feb. 19. An undercover operative purchased P500 worth of shabu from Bigkas. Police said that when the suspect demanded a payment, he said, “Pahirapan pagkuha ngayon eh, madami na ‘yan” (It’s difficult to get at this time, that’s enough already). After the police handed a payment in exchange for illegal drugs, they attempted to arrest Bigkas who drew his gun and fired at them, but missed. The cops returned fire and hit the suspect several times in the body. Seized from the suspect in the hospital was P500 cash used as buy-bust money. Recovered from the crime scene were a .38 caliber revolver containing one spent shell and two live ammunition of .38 caliber, two pieces spent shells of caliber 45—which were allegedly used by the suspect, and six sachets of suspected shabu. (Erma Edera) 8 LTO fixers nabbed in QC Eight suspected license “fixers” at a branch of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Novaliches, Quezon City were arrested in an entrapment operation by the police on Tuesday morning. Quezon City Police District director, Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., identified the arrested LTO fixers as Ruben San Jose Jr., 41; Ronel Payonga, 36; Archie Sesbreño, 45; Renato Manlangit, 34; Dexter Tequin, 23; Ariel San Jose, 25; Alexander Fiesta, 43; and Leonil Macatuggal, 33. According to investigation, members of QCPD Special Operations Unit received a report from a concerned citizen about the presence of fixers near the LTO branch in Novaliches. This prompted the team to conduct an entrapment operation against the suspects. Undercover operatives transacted with the fixers in front of LTO Novaliches in Barangay Kaligayahan at around 10:20 a.m. After receiving the marked money, police officers immediately collared the suspects for illegally facilitating an LTO transaction, a violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Fixing Law, resulting in their arrest. The men were brought to DSOU in Camp Karingal for investigation and filing of charges. The QCPD chief also reminded the public not to patronize fixers and refrain from involving in any illegal transactions in government offices. (Alexandria San Juan) Barangay kagawad shot dead in Sta. Cruz, Manila A barangay councilor was gunned by an unknown assailant in Sta. Cruz, Manila in broad daylight Tuesday. Alfredo Hicana was sitting near the entrance gate of 1st Alley along Severino Reyes Street of the said district when the still-unidentified gunman appeared from behind and fired a shot against him past 2 p.m. on Feb. 19, initial investigation revealed. But the victim was able to miss the bullet and ran inside the alley. However, the suspect chased him and fired two more shots causing the victim to fall on the ground. The suspect then fled on foot, with the gun he used in the killing, en route to Laguna-Abad Santos Avenue. Meanwhile, the victim was rushed by his live-in partner to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was then brought to Sanctuary Funeral Homes for forensic examination and burial services. Probers recovered three fired cartridge cases and three live ammunitions of a .45 caliber handgun from the crime scene. Further investigation is underway to apprehend the suspect and determine the motive in the killing, on-case investigator Police Officer (PO) 3 Roderick Magpale said. (Ria Fernandez)  
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