2 drug suspects slain in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected illegal drug trafficker was killed when he allegedly tried to shoot it out with police officers in Bataan, while a drug surrenderee was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in Isabela over the weekend.

Jojo Gorayeb, 50, of Cavite, reportedly pulled out a gun after sensing that he was dealing with a police officer during a sting in Barangay Poblacion, Orion town.

 Gorayeb shot the agent twice, but missed, according to a report received by Central Luzon police acting director Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino.

Another agent shot Gora-yeb, killing him at the scene.

Police recovered from the suspect a .38-caliber revolver and a plastic sachet said to contain shabu.

In a related development, Aquino said his men arrested 163 drug suspects, who earlier surrendered to the police, for returning to their illegal activities.

He said the police could have opted to kill the suspects, but did not do so as they do not condone extrajudicial killings.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old William Medina had just came from a Zumba session for drug surrenderees when two motorcycle-riding men shot him as he was standing in front of his residence in Barangay Magsaysay, Alicia, Isabela on Saturday night.

Chief Inspector Santos Tecbobolan, town police chief, said neighbors rushed Medina to a hospital, but he did not make it alive.

Police have yet to determine if the killing was drug-related.

In Negros Occidental, 38 drug surrenderees have completed a week-long wellness and transformation orientation at Camp Maj. Nelson Gerona in Murcia town.

The 38 were part of more than 22,000 drug users in the Negros Island Region who surrendered to the police following the launch of Oplan Tokhang.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent William Señoron said they expected the 38 to share what they have learned with drug dependents in their villages.

Negros Island Region police director Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban said the 38 would still be monitored by their respective barangay officials and local police. –