6 slain in southern Metro Manila in 24 hours

Police disowned what appeared to be antidrug operations that killed six suspects within 24 hours in southern Metro Manila, classifying the killings as “homicide cases under investigation” or HUIs.

The killings started on Friday midnight when three suspects wearing face masks gunned down Joseph Pedrina, 47, on Arandia Street in the village of Tunasan, Muntinlupa City.

Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District director, said Pedrina was “a newly listed high-value target” in the campaign against drugs.

In Taguig City, Gerry Palomata, 29, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Sampaloc Extension, North Signal.

Police said Palomata, alias “Komang,” was a pusher and robber.

In Parañaque City, Christian Gabriel, 50, a janitor at Tambo National High School, was shot in the head by unidentified suspects on Sta. Rita Extension in Baclaran.

Investigators found two lighters and three aluminum foil strips in the crime scene.

In Makati City, four motorcycle-riding suspects repeatedly shot Alexander Laña and Cecilio Natividad at a drinking session in Natividad’s house on Gladiola Street, Rizal village.

Laña and Natividad suffered multiple gunshot wounds from 9-mm and .45-caliber pistols.

Sherwin, Cecilio’s elder brother, admitted that he had sold drugs and surrendered but continued selling drugs and even using their house as a drug den.

In Pasay City, Noel Valenzuela, 49, a watchman in Village 30, was shot at least 11 times outside his home on Manahan Street.

Police said a sachet filled with suspected “shabu,” or crystal meth, was found in Valenzuela’s possession.

Ramil Barcelon, Village 30 chief, said Valenzuela had been known to be involved in drugs.

Apolinario said the killings were being investigated but said the cases were commonplace.

“For the past years, it’s been like this,” he said. “Drug pushers and users dupe, don’t pay and kill each other,” he added.

He said, though, that he had warned precinct commanders that they would be relieved of their posts if three consecutive HUIs took place in their areas.

Police, said Apolinario, were “trying our best to keep police operations bloodless.”