MANILA — A 44-year-old drug user who previously surrendered to the police under the Oplan Tokhang program was shot dead in Pasig City on Monday evening.
SPO1 Al Alvarez, case investigator from the Pasig City Police who rushed to the crime scene, said Albert Sidayon, was shot dead at 9:05 p.m. near his house along P. Bernal street in Barangay Ugong.
Sidayon’s brother Adonis said they were outside the house with his other brother repairing a broken table when at least four unidentified men onboard two motorcycles appeared. One of the gunmen alighted from one motorcycle and shot Sidayon several times in the face and body.
Adonis said the gunmen who were wearing bonnets sped off in an unknown direction.
Around eight gunshots were heard by the residents but the police recovered five bullets fired a .45-pistol at the crime scene, Alvarez said.
Sidayon, who did a string of sideline jobs including repairing furniture, earlier surrendered under the Oplan Tokhang program and had once attended Pasig City’s program for drug users, said Alvarez. (Oplan Tokhang is the program of the Philippine National Police in which teams of policemen visit known drug users and pushers at their homes to persuade them to surrender and undergo rehabilitation.)
Before members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives arrived, Sidayan’s brother had already covered the victim’s body with a white blanket.
An investigation is ongoing. SFM