2 drug suspects, 2 others shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — Four persons, including two drug suspects, were shot dead in Laguna and Masbate in the past two days.

Levy Landicho was driving his motorcycle when he was shot along Yulo Avenue in Barangay Canlubang, Calamba shortly after midnight yesterday. He died at the scene.

Landicho surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year and had just been released from jail for illegal drugs last week, Superintendent Sancho Celedio, city police chief, said.

Police said the fatality was also tagged in a series of shootings in the city.

Another drug surrenderee, construction worker Luduvico Allones, 21, was having a drinking spree in Barangay Sucol, also in Calamba, on Thursday when one of his companions  pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest.

In Masbate, Rene Albaran, 41, councilman of Barangay Candelaria in Uson town, and Benjie de la Cruz, 33, were riding a motorcycle when they were fired at in Barangay Mactan, Cawayan at about 5:35 p.m. also on Thursday.

Police have lauched a manhunt for the assailants.

Meanwhile, Rolando Oya, 41, who was ranked seventh on the drug list in Porac, Pampanga, was arrested yesterday.

Nineteen other drug suspects have been arrested in stings in the province since Monday.