Drug war: 6 killed

MANILA, Philippines - Six suspected drug pushers were killed in Bulacan, Cagayan and Antique as the government continued its campaign against illegal drugs on Sunday.

Two men known only by their aliases of Rolly and Allen reportedly drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan at around 11:35 p.m.

Jeffrey Tabianan and Richard Felipe engaged anti-drug operatives in a shootout in Barangay San Roque, Pandi and Batasan Matanda, San Miguel also in Bulacan, respectively.

Police said 10 sachets of shabu, eight sticks and three sachets of marijuana, an improvised gun, a caliber .38 revolver, a hand grenade and a motorcycle were recovered from the fatalities.

Rey Reyes, chairman of Barangay Pinili, Abulug, Cagayan, and his wife were on their way home when he was shot as they reached Barangay Libertad. The fatality was on the drug watchlist of the police.

Former Marine soldier Oscar Lim, 46, resisted arrest and fired at anti-drug operatives during a sting at a boarding house owned by his family in Barangay Poblacion, Tibia at around 5:15 p.m.

Police said Lim was identified as a drug suspect two years ago after he was accused of serial rape while high on drugs. Lim remained free because the warrant of arrest had not been issued.

P.7-M shabu seized

Meanwhile, Margie Ponseca, 22, and Joseph Patente, 22, who reportedly yielded 250 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P750,000 in Angono, Rizal, were among the 21 other suspects arrested on Sunday.

Nine were collared in San Jose del Monte, two each in Malolos and Marilao and one each in Obando, Baliwag, San Miguel, Norzagaray and San Rafael in Bulacan and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Mike Diocolano, an alleged member of a drug ring operating in Datu Odin Sinsuat and nearby areas, was nabbed in Barangay Marquez based on a warrant issued by a local court. Various guns and ammunition were allegedly recovered from the suspect. – Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Michael Punongbayan, Jennifer Rendon, Non Alquitran, Ed Amoroso, Raymund Catindig