Drug suspect, 3 others gunned down

MANILA, Philippines — A drug suspect and three other persons were shot dead in Bulacan, Pangasinan and Laguna on Tuesday.

Edwin Espinosa allegedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan, Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., Bulacan police director, said yesterday.

At least 20 sachets of shabu weighing around 10 grams with an estimated street value of P50,000, a .38-caliber revolver, ammunition and marked money were recovered from the fatality, Caramat said.

Four other suspects were arrested in anti-drug operations in San Jose del Monte, Guiguinto and Plaridel also on Tuesday. They allegedly yielded 10 sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia and marked money.

In Pangasinan, retired Army soldier Marciano Cardona, 62, was shot in Barangay Sampaloc, Anda. 

A man wearing a red T-shirt was seen running away from the scene after the incident.

Retired police officer Renato Ocampo Opeña was resting in front of his house in Barangay 1, Calamba, Laguna when a man shot him several times.

The gunman was also killed in an exchange of gunfire with Opeña and his bodyguard.

The companion of the assailant escaped on a motorcycle.