Barangay chief, 6 others killed in Quiapo raid

MANILA, Philippines - Seven suspected drug dealers and users, including a barangay chairman, were killed when police raided the Islamic Center in Quiapo, Manila yesterday morning.

Faiz Macabato, chairman of Barangay 648, was killed after he allegedly engaged police in a shootout.

Also killed were Macabato’s brother, Gaus, and Malik Bayantol.

Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) Special Weapons and Tactics team, special operations unit, tactical motorcycle response, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Highway Patrol Group and Special Action Force barricaded the roads leading to the Islamic Center as early as 6 a.m. to serve warrants for the arrest of drug suspects, including local government officials, in the area.

MPD director Senior Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel said they made sure that all entry and exit points at the Islamic Center were cordoned off.

Police said a raiding team moved into the compound at 9:30 a.m. and proceeded to the barangay hall to serve a warrant for the arrest of Gaus.

Macabato reportedly resisted arrest and shot it out with police.

“He pulled out a gun and fired at the raiders. Gaus and Bayantol were neutralized in an exchange of gunfire on the second floor of the barangay hall,” a member of the raiding team told The STAR.

Another team from the MPD anti-illegal drug unit encountered several drug suspects along Fraternal street, killing four men. 

Police have yet to identify the fatalities.

High-value target

Mayor Joseph Estrada said Macabato was a high-value target with a P1 million bounty for his capture.

Estrada said 263 drug suspects, including an alleged commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), were arrested during the raid.

“The raid resulted in the killing of a high-value drug target and the arrest of an alleged commander of the BIFF,” he said.

“This shows that we are serious in the war on drugs,” he added.

The suspects were taken to the MPD headquarters for questioning.

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde said at least 12 firearms, two fragmentation grenades and 65 sachets of shabu were seized during the operation.

Albayalde said the guns would be subjected to ballistic examination to determine if these were used in other crimes.

Estrada said local officials and Muslim leaders worked with law enforcers to identify the drug suspects.

The mayor called on the Muslim leaders at the Islamic Center to support the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“This is the second time that the Islamic Center was raided. The first was during the time of former president Ferdinand Marcos. I hope that we will help each other in making Manila a drug-free and peaceful community,” Estrada said.

Convicted drug personalities who testified at the House committee on justice hearing mentioned that Muslim communities in Manila were involved in the illegal drug trade.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano