3 drug suspects slain in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines -  Three suspected drug personalities were killed in separate police operations in Albay, Bulacan and Sorsogon on Saturday.

Marcelino Viterbo allegedly pulled out a gun after sensing that he was dealing with undercover agents who conducted a sting in Barangay Tinago, Ligao City in Albay.

Viterbo was declared dead on arrival at the Josefina B. Duran Memorial District Hospital.

Probers said they seized from the suspect a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition, 10 plastic sachets said to contain shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, police officers arrested Viterbo’s sister Emma, 40, after they seized eight plastic sachets said to contain shabu and drug paraphernalia during a search of her residence in Ligao City.

In Bulacan, Erald Lopez was killed after he allegedly exchanged fire with police officers in Barangay Sta. Trinidad, Malolos City.

Lopez reportedly pulled out a gun and shot at the undercover agents, triggering a firefight.

Police said they recovered from the scene a .38 caliber revolver, a plastic sachet said to contain shabu and marked money. 

In Sorsogon, Rodel Lato reportedly engaged police officers in a firefight following a sting in Barangay Bibincahan in Sorsogon City.

Lato ranked second on the drug list of the city police, report said. – Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Francis Elevado