42 arrested, 1 ex-detainee killed in Navotas’ Oplan Galugad

Stevedore John Erwin David, 23, lies dead after he allegedly tried to shoot it out with the Navotas City Police, which were conducting anti-drugs operations on June 23, 2016. (Photo by Jodie Agoncillo, INQUIRER)

MANILA — Following a series of Oplan Galugad operations in Navotas City, 42 more suspected drug users and pushers were apprehended in a one-time big-time operation in a compound inside Navotas Maritime Unit, North Bay Boulevard North, in Navotas City, on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Chief Superintendent Eric Reyes, district director of the Northern Police District, said John Erwin Manalang David, 23, a stevedore and resident of 46 Miguel Street, was shot dead at Market 3 around 12:45 p.m. after he attempted to exchange shots with the Navotas Police Station anti-illegal drugs operatives. He was seen pointing a firearm against PO1 Alvin Agustin, a member of the Special Reaction Unit before he was shot, Senior Superintendent Dante Novicio, Navotas City chief of police, said.

Novicio said David had just been released from jail last week for an earlier violation of Republic Act 9165 before he was caught and shot on Thursday, Novicio said. Recovered from him were a .22 revolver, a 9mm revolver and five plastic sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

Of the 42 arrested suspects, six alleged drug users were caught for actual possession of suspected shabu, while five more were caught in an ongoing pot session. These included Evangeline Todallion, the owner of the house, which served as the drug den, Novicio said. A separate case was being prepared against her, he added.

The 10 suspects will be charged with illegal possession of illegal drugs. The cases of 31 others would have to be verified further, Novicio said.

Although inspired by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, Novicio said the operation has been part of an ongoing initiative.

Last Tuesday, eight drug users and three drug dealers were arrested inside a public cemetery in Navotas City. Recovered from them were six sachets of suspected shabu. Most of the arrests were made based on tips sent by concerned citizens via text messages to Mayor John Reynald Tiangco through the city’s drug hotline.  (With reports from Jhena Sy, Inquirer trainee)  SFM