Ex-jailguard on drug list shot dead

A retired jail guard on the police drug watchlist who earlier yielded to authorities under Oplan Tokhang was killed in Muntinlupa City on Saturday.

Simplicio Flores alias Pitong, a 51-year-old resident of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation, Barangay Poblacion, was shot dead around 7 a.m. while driving his car on East Service Road, according to Senior Supt. Nicolas Salvador, Muntinlupa City police chief.

The former NBP jail guard was on the police’s drug watchlist. He was also one of the Top 10 high-value targets listed by the Muntinlupa City Police Station, Salvador said.

A jeepney driver told the police that he saw two men on a motorcycle shoot the driver of a car coming toward him on the northbound lane of East Service Road. The car then hit his jeepney, he added.

Flores was brought to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival due to a gunshot wound in the face.

The police said that an alias warrant was about to be issued against Flores who was arrested in July 2015 for violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 9165 (manufacture of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals).

Salvador said Flores reportedly opted for early retirement in May before President Duterte, who won on an antidrug platform, assumed office.

Flores surrendered under Oplan Tokhang but based on police monitoring, he continued his illegal activities.