Village councilor shot dead in police operation

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay kagawad (village councilor) previously arrested for illegal drugs was shot dead in a police operation in Sampaloc, Manila Thursday morning.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Elwin Del Rosario of the Manila Police District’s Sampaloc station identified the casualty as Juan Ronnie Labongray, barangay kagawad of Brgy. 561 Sampaloc, Manila.

The police operation stemmed from a search warrant issued by Judge Marivic Balisi-Umali of  the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 20.

Labongray was shot at around 9:30 a.m. along Gerardo Street.

The victim was brought to Ospital ng Sampaloc for treatment but was declared dead on arrival.

During the serving of the search warrant, Labongray was spotted having a drug session with two individuals, identified as Alfredo Joanino and Jeffrey Gallaron.

Recovered from Labongray were 100 grams of shabu worth P1,020,000; one .45 caliber pistol, ammunition and three large sachets of shabu worth an estimated P1,360,000.

In 2017, Labongray was arrested by Manila Police District for violation of Republic 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. / gsg