Drug-related shooting spree kills pregnant woman, 6 others in Caloocan

Seven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed Wednesday night in a shooting spree in Caloocan City that is believed to be related to illegal drugs, a report on "24 Oras" said Thursday.

The report, by Saleema Refram, said one of the four suspects was arrested after the lone survivor, which was believed to be the target, tagged him in the shooting.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said the suspect, who was not identified, was allegedly part of a group from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, who targeted the survivor for failing to remit drug money.

"Nagkaka-onsehan yung dalawang grupo. Hindi siguro nagre-remit itong taga-Caloocan kaya sinisingil ng taga-San Jose Del Monte," Dela Rosa said. "Kaya nung December 8, binaril na ito. Hindi lang namatay."

The wife of the arrested suspect, however, said her husband was being framed up by the survivor, who she said was behind all the illegal activities in their area. 

"Nagmamakaawa po yung asawa ko sa kanila. Wala pong kasalanan yun. Pinagbibintangan lang nila yung asawa ko. Yung [survivor], talaga siya po yung may gawa nun. Kaya nga po nakaka-alis yun sa lugar namin kasi siya po talaga yung maraming ginagawang kababalaghan dun," she said.

According to the report, the survivor managed to run to a nearby hut after four masked suspects on two motorcycles shot at their house.

The suspects tracked him down and began shooting at a room where the survivor was hiding with five men, three of whom were minors, who were supposedly using drugs.

"Yung mga tao na nandun sa drug den na gumagamit ng droga, yan yung napag-diskatehan ng mga suspect," Dela Rosa said.

A neighboring hut was also shot, resulting in the death of two women.

Analyn Dayamla, pregnant at the time of her death, died on the spot with Christina Santor, Sonny Espinosa, Angelito Soriano, and Jonel Segovia.

Kenneth Lim, Edward Villanueva, and Ednel Santor were rushed to the hospital though only one of them survived.

The male victims were allegedly members of the Scout Royal Brotherhood who often got into fights. Police are investigating whether the victims were killed due to frat activity or illegal drugs as drug paraphernalia and a paddle were allegedly recovered from the house where they were killed.

Laudencio Ramos, a local community leader, told Victoria Tulad in a separate report on "24 Oras" that police supposedly mentioned drugs while scouring the house where the suspects where killed.

"Kasi, ayon sa sinabi ng mga pulis na pumasok dito dahil may mga pumasok doon, mayron daw chongkian sa loob," Ramos said.

Gretchen Espinosa, Sonny's mother, demanded justice for the death of her 16-year-old son. "Simula nang magkapanganak nasa tiyan pa lang, pinaghirapan na ng magulang. Tapos makikita mo na lang nakabulagta na, parang ginilitan na manok!" she said.

Maria Lyn Segovia, mother of 15-year-old Jonel, also said her son was not a drug user. "Sana yung mga tao na lang, yung mga adik na lang sana yung inano nila, hindi yung anak ko, hindi naman adik yan eh," she said.

Emily Soriano said her son, Angelito, 15, did not use drugs but implied that the room where he was shot was used for illegal activities.

"Kahit ipa-drug test po 'to, hindi nagda-drugs," Soriano said. "Araw-araw ko po yang sinasabihan na 'wag pupunta sa lugar na 'to."

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, reminded police handling the case of his 24-hour deadline to make a breakthrough as he said he will not hesitate to remove officials from their posts if he is not satisfied with the investigation's outcome. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News