Anti-drug vigilantism or purge? 2 more ‘linked to drugs’ die

Another man linked to drugs found dead. (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JONG MANLAPAZ)

MANILA — Two more people were murdered in southern Metro Manila in vigilante-style killings fuelled by the Duterte Administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Police have yet to determine if these killings were perpetrated by an actual vigilante group against illegal drugs; if these were contracted hits by drug gangs out to purge potential witnesses against them; or if these were sparked by personal grudges just riding on the anti-drugs campaign.

In an interview Friday, National Capital Region Police Office regional director Oscar Albayalde said that they have been investigating vigilante-style killings, which were most likely “purging” among drug traffickers and pushers.

“These could be drug criminals who are going after their competition in the illegal  trade, or they could be killing those whom they believe will report them authorities,” Albayalde said.

At around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, 57-year-old Genaro Tizon was shot dead by four still unidentified gunmen riding tandem on two separate motorcycles along Electrical Road, Brgy. 191, Pasay City, said Supt. Jenny Tecson, head of the Southern Police District’s public information office.

According to bystanders who witnessed the shooting, the first two riders drove up to Tizon, who was walking along the dimly lit road alone, and fired a single shot to his back, causing him to fall to the pavement. Shortly after, two more men aboard a motorcycle arrived at the scene and fired at Tizon’s unmoving body, Tecson said.

Tecson said that according to witnesses, a cardboard sign that read, “Drug pusher, do not emulate. Mekang, you’re next,” was left beside Tizon’s body. Crime scene investigators, however, found no such sign, but were able to recover four .45-cal bullets.

Five hours later in Makati  City, a still unidentified man was found dead at the corner of C5 and Kalayaan Avenue, his body covered with a black garbage bag and hands tied together with packaging tape.

According to a report by Chief Insp. Samuel Fernandez, command duty officer of the Makati police, a cardboard tagging the victim as a drug pusher was also found at the crime scene. The victim, who appeared to be around 35-45 years old, had multple puncture wounds on his chest and back.  SFM