Top Batangas drug personality, son killed in shootout

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines (The Filipino Connection) – The province’s most wanted drug personality and his son were killed in a bloody shootout with police officers in Barangay Calicanto here on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

 

Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Cabanag, Batangas police director, identified the fatalities as Julian "Julie" Carpio, 50; and his son Julian Carpio, Jr., 30.

 

The elder Carpio was listed as the province’s top priority target among illegal drug personalities.

 

Aside from his alleged involvement in drugs, the slain suspect was also allegedly involved with a gun-for-hire group in the province’s second district.

 

Both suspects were also accused of killing a certain Ronnie Dagle in the same barangay on June 24.

 

A joint team of police intelligence, anti-illegal drug task group and provincial special weapons and tactics operatives had been sent to serve a search warrant for illegal firearms on the elder Carpio's house on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the suspects opened fire as the warrant was being served, prompting law enforcers to shoot back.

 

Both were immediately brought to the Batangas Medical Center for treatment but were declared dead on arrival.

 

Police recovered from the suspects two cal.45 pistols and eight sachets -- about 40 grams -- of what is believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride.

 

According to a report on radio dzBB on Thursday morning, 32 people allegedly involved in illegal drugs have been killed this week.

 

The Filipino Connection is a new Philippine newspaper based in Batangas