2 dead in Mandaluyong drug raid; prime target escapes

Drug suspect RJ Corpuz was arrested anew in a police operation on Sept. 6, 2016, weeks after he surrendered to the police for drug rehabilitation under Oplan Tokhang. Corpuz denies relapsing to drug use and tearfully says he now fears for his life. (Photo by LYN RILLON/ INQUIRER)

MANILA — Several days after a drug suspect was killed in Barangay Addition Hills, two more suspected drug pushers were shot dead by the police in a raid in an alleged drug den in the same village in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday afternoon.

Joselito Aldon alias Pepe Smith, 53, and Jerry “Puyo” Ignacio, 30, were killed by the police around 2 p.m.after they allegedly drew their weapons and “attempted to fight” with the police.

Aldon was reportedly shot in the chest and right arm and was brought like a hog by at least two policemen holding each of his hands and limbs outside the narrow alley of Balimbing St. Blk 37B to an emergency vehicle.

He reportedly died at the Mandaluyong City Medical Hospital where he was brought for treatment, police said.

About 10 minutes after, the policemen declared the village cleared.

The media inspecting the area then saw Ignacio, another drug suspect, slumped and bloodied inside his house. The Scene of the Crime Operatives came to bring his body out of his house, around 30 minutes later.

Chief Inspector Reggie Lacsamana, head of the Eastern Police District Special Operations Unit, said they were to serve a search warrant issued by Judge Monique Quisumbing Ignacio against Dexter “Bornok” Corpuz, a resident of Balimbing St. Blk 37B, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

Corpuz, who was chased by the police, escaped by running in a dark alley, which barely fit an average-sized adult.

According to a neighbor, children as young as 12 years old were already using illegal drugs in the illegal settlers area.

Also arrested solely for “visiting a drug den” were three topless men who claimed they were not using illegal drugs.

The handcuffed suspects named Manuel Gozagaron, 31; RJ Corpuz, 29; and Allan Calimlim, 32, would undergo drug testing and would be charged with drug use should they test positive for drugs, Lacsamana said.

The three were made to sit in a corner while operations were ongoing.

Corpuz, a market vendor, who was crying and shaking, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer he was afraid he would soon be killed.

“Nagbago na ako (I have changed). I have stopped for two months,” he said in a tone of fear and dismay. “Help me please; please tell my wife about this,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Corpuz surrendered to the barangay (village) under the Oplan Tokhang program and has since been attending the Zumba therapy sessions of Barangay JP-Rizal in Mandaluyong.

He has children and will soon be a father again.

During the operations, two firearms of undetermined caliber  were recovered from the crime scene.

Barangay Addition Hills chairman Kent Familyal said the barangay had around 200 drug users who have surrendered to the police for rehabilitation. SFM