(Eagle News) — At least 26 were killed in “one-time bigtime” operations held by police in Manila on Wednesday.
Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District director, said the suspects were killed after they fought it out with policemen who were only out to arrest them.
He said 166 others were arrested in the anti-criminality operations carried out in Sta. Cruz, Sampaloc, Malate, Tondo, and Abad Santos Ave., among others.
Of the 166, he said 48 were arrested for criminal offenses, while 118 were detained for violations of city ordinances.
“Most of the suspects neutralized or arrested (for criminal offenses) were involved in robbery hold-ups, murder and frustrated murder, drug trafficking,” he said.
Supt. Erwin Margarejo, Manila Police District spokesperson, said in a radio interview that the police followed the rules of engagement in the operations.
In any case, if there was any concern, he said the MPD was “open” to receive any complaints.
“Kaya nananawagan ako sa mga involved sa mga illegal activities, ngayon pa lang po tigilan nyo na po or iwasan n’yo na dahil it’s either ma-aresto kayo at makulong, kayo o kung kayo po ay manlalaban sa ating kapulisan, maneutralize kayo,” he said.
Margarejo also denied the MPD was engaged in a “competition” with other districts such as Bulacan, which earlier reported that 32 had been killed in their own one-time bigtime operations early this week.
