Sister of slain suspected drug lord in Iloilo shot dead

ILOILO CITY—Four days after President Duterte warned that drug personalities would die, gunmen shot and killed on Sunday a sister of a slain suspected drug lord while police arrested the brother of another slain suspected drug lord.

Remia Prevendido-Gregori, chief of Barangay Bakhaw in Mandurriao District here, died from multiple bullet wounds at the family-owned Crystal Beach Resort at Barangay Igcadlum in San Joaquin town, Iloilo, said Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo police director.

Gregori was the older sister of suspected Western Visayas drug lord, Richard Prevendido, who was gunned down along with a son in a police operation last year. She was also tagged by police as a “high-value target” among drug personalities.

High-value target

Tayaba said six armed men in a red car entered the resort at 4:20 p.m. and repeatedly shot Gregori in one of the cottages.

The gunmen also shot dead Analee Antapatria, a family maid. Gregori’s husband, Bonifacio, was wounded, Tayaba said.

Tayaba said Gregori was a “high-value target” for her alleged involvement in illegal drugs but cases against her did not prosper. Several of her children and close relatives were arrested or were facing arrest for alleged drug cases.

She had denied the allegations and had served as village chief for many terms.

On Monday, a police team arrested Noel “Nene” Odicta, village chief of Tanza-Esperanza, and three others for illegal possession of firearms. Odicta is the younger brother of slain suspected drug lord Melvin Odicta.

Melvin and his wife, Merriam, were gunned down on Aug. 29, 2016, shortly after they left a passenger ship at Caticlan port in Aklan province.

Odicta brother

During Monday’s operation, police shot dead Andrew Altas, a close associate of Noel who allegedly fired at policemen who raided the family compound in Iloilo City. Recovered from Noel’s house were a .45-caliber pistol and a grenade.

Noel had denied involvement in illegal drugs.

Last week, Mr. Duterte told delegates attending the Philippine Councilors League national convention here that he would kill officials involved in the illegal drug trade.