Cops link slay of 5 young men to drugs

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The shooting incident at the boundary of Pasay and Makati that left five young men dead before dawn Wednesday may have something to do with drugs, a National Capital Region Police Office official said.

Police Director Leonardo Espina, NCRPO chief, said initial investigation showed that two of the five victims were temporarily out on bail for possession of illegal drugs, while the three others were on the Pasay police’s watch list of drug suspects.

The victims – Andrew Loyd Cruz, Chuckie Dee Cruz, Raymart Saraza, Francisco Cruz and Rogelio Diala Jr. – were killed after they were cornered and shot by motorcycle-riding men at the Cementina Dolores Bridge on Arnaiz Avenue around 2:30 a.m.

Recovered from the scene were 18 empty shells from a Caliber 40.

“According to the records of Pasay City police, the three were identified in their area as personalities involved in illegal drugs trade,” he said, particularly on Magtibay Street where they lived.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban, Makati police chief, said authorities already have a lead to the identities of the three gunmen, but said the information is still being verified.

“Do not rest, solve this case with resoluteness,” Espina said, noting that police offices of Pasay and Makati are working together on the case.