by Dyan Grace Bugay

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – On Wednesday afternoon, the police raided a barangay outpost in Tondo, Manila and arrested three of the vigilantes who admittedly told the police about their involvement in the disappearance and killing of drug suspects.

The suspects were identified by the police as Alfredo Alejan, 42; Marco Morallos, 33; Manuel Murillo, 33.

They were also identified as members of Confederate Sentinel Group, whose members are reportedly part of the barangay peacekeeping action teams.

According to the police, it was the first time that suspects in drug-related vigilante killings were unmasked and arrested. This lead into stemming out of the complaint of Christine Saladaga, who accused the three of killing his 16-year-old son and accusing him as a drug peddler and robber.

During the investigation, Murillo admitted they killed the teenager on orders of “Kumander Maning”, the leader of their group, named as Ricardo Villamonte.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, the suspects were among the vigilantes  who rode the on the government’s war on drugs

“The people thought they would not be discovered and the police would be blamed”, Dela Rosa said.

The suspects are now facing multiple charges for murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.