3 drug suspects slain in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Three suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Batangas, Bulacan and Cavite on Friday afternoon.

Arvin Mayuga was killed after he reportedly exchanged fire with police officers out to arrest him for murder in Balayan, Batangas.

Mayuga was declared dead on arrival at the Don Leon Memorial Hospital, according to town police chief Senior Superintendent Randy Peralta.

Mayuga, who was tagged in the killing of a certain Edgardo Ermita, was said to be involved in illegal drug trade.

The victim’s body was found in Barangay Malibu, Tuy before dawn of the same day.

Mayuga reportedly ranked second on the drug list of the municipal and provincial police, Peralta said.

On the same day, motorcycle-riding men killed Virgilio Velasco, 35, in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

Velasco was standing in front of a water refilling station in Barangay San Pedro when a motorcycle pulled over.

One of the riders pulled out a gun and shot Velasco, killing him at the scene, according to Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., acting Bulacan police director.

In Cavite, Gabriel Saavedra, 35, was walking in Barangay Malagasang 1-E, Imus when he was shot dead by an unidentified assailant shortly before 2 p.m.

Police said Saavedra was a known drug supplier and user in the community.

Meanwhile, authorities are investigating the killing of four men in nearby Barangay Malagasang II-G yesterday.

The victims, whose names were not immediately available, were walking near the Mary Homes Subdivision when they were shot dead by unidentified assailants at around 1:30 a.m., police said. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Ed Amoroso, Emmanuel Tupas