2 drug suspects slain in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – Two drug suspects were killed in separate incidents in Rizal and Ilocos Sur in the past two days.

One of the suspects was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers at a checkpoint in Antipolo City yesterday.

Ruel Rodriguez died at the scene due to several gunshot wounds in the body, according to city police chief Superintendent Ruben Andiso.

Police recovered from the suspect a plastic sachet said to contain shabu, a .45 caliber pistol and P500 marked money.

Andiso said that before the shootout, his men conducted a sting near the suspect’s residence in Barangay San Jose.

Rodriguez, who sensed that he was dealing with undercover agents, escaped on a motorcycle.

A police patrol car conducting checkpoint nearby signaled Rodriguez to pull over. The suspect allegedly pulled out a. 45 caliber and opened fire at the officers, triggering a firefight.

Meanwhile, an alleged top drug trafficker in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Bagani Campo on Saturday.

Jason Toquero, 33, of Barangay Patpata, was in a car when one of two assailants shot him, according to city police chief Superintendent Reynaldo Lizardo.

Probers recovered nine bullet shells at the crime scene.

Lizardo said Toquero, who earlier surrendered to authorities during the conduct of Oplan Tokhang in their village, ranked second on the drug list of the city police.

In Masbate City, police arrested village watchman Shieralyn Villamor, 38, during a sting in Barangay F. Magallanes on Friday.

Villamor was allegedly on the barangay drug list, according to Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Bicol police.

The suspect allegedly yielded two plastic sachets said to contain shabu and P300 marked money.

On the same day, Regie Balbalosa was arrested following a sting in Sto. Domingo Albay.

Police recovered from Balbalosa seven plastic sachets said to contain shabu and marked money. – Non Alquitran, Raymund Catindig, Celso Amo