IN THE past 62 days, the police recorded that 98 of 180 suspected drug pushers killed in Central Visayas were executed by unknown assassins.
Most of the victims were killed by two unidentified men riding a motorcycle, while in some incidents the perpetrators were also alleged drug pushers.
Police Regional Office (PRO) Central Visayas Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño said they are investigating the incidents and repeated that there is not enough evidence that vigilantes did them.
The police official added that no cops are deployed as mercenaries.
Taliño said operatives killed 40 suspected drug pushers in July and 42 in August.
Fellows
Last August 25, suspected drug pusher Ronald Udto, 19, shot and killed alleged drug trader Rogelio Petalcorin Gabasa, 30, in Sitio Lawis Riverside, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.
The suspect shot the victim, believing the latter had told the police about illegal drug operations in their village.
In the same barangay, two men who allegedly came from a pot session were shot by unidentified assailants last Tuesday night.
Police said Benjamin Decatoria succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. His companion Ronald Publica landed in the hospital with a wound in the stomach.
Earlier that day, suspected drug pusher Francis Mercader ended up in the hospital after he allegedly shoot it out with the police during a drug bust in Barangay Tindog, Medellin.
A .357 revolver loaded with six bullets were recovered from Mercader, an alleged top three drug pusher in the town.
The suspect’s companion, Regie Noynay, was also captured by the police.
Several packs of shabu were recovered from the suspects, who will face complaints for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Shot dead
A former tanod who also served as police asset was killed by the police, after he shot to death Anthony Branzuela, whom he mistook as the person whom he had a fistfight with.
The suspect Geroncio Morales, 44, succumbed to gunshot wounds, after he allegedly resisted arrest and shot at the police.
Branzuela, 22, died after he was shot in the head by Morales, using the suspect’s .38 revolver. The victim, who was in Cebu City to process his documents for abroad, was buying a barbecue at the time.
