War on illegal drugs leaves 5 dead in Pasay, Manila

Five more drug suspects have been killed in Manila and Pasay City, including a father and his son who allegedly attacked a policeman inside the Pasay police station and tried to wrest his gun away from him.

Chief Insp. Rolando Baula, Pasay police investigation chief, identified the fatalities as Renato Bertes, 47 and son Jaybee Bertes, 28, residents of Ignacio Street in Pasay City.

The two were arrested for illegal drug possession about 11 p.m. Wednesday and brought to the crime laboratory for drug testing. Only one handcuff was used to restrain a hand of each suspect, the police said.

Upon their return to the station anti-illegal drugs detention cell around 2 a.m. Thursday, PO2 Alipio Balo was taking off the handcuff when the two men allegedly attacked him and tried to take his firearm.

Balo said he managed to grab his gun and fire it, hitting Renato. His partner PO1 Michael Tomas, on the other hand, shot Jaybee.

Triple shootouts

In Manila, three drug suspects were killed in shootouts with the police in Tondo and Sta. Mesa.

Chief Insp. Reynante Parlade, deputy chief of Sta. Mesa police station, identified those killed by his men as Renato Bandando and an alias Pangit.

Bandado was the target in a buy-bust operation but he sensed that his “customers” were policemen, leading him to draw his gun around 2 a.m.  Thursday in Rail Road Track, Barangay 630, Sta. Mesa.

An armed Pangit, on the other hand, came out of a nearby shanty when he heard the shots and fired at the lawmen who shot him.

In Tondo, Roger Bonifacio was also killed in a drug bust at  9:25 p.m. Wednesday. With Faye Orellana