2 cops, 5 drug suspects slain in shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Two police officers and two drug and robbery suspects were killed in an encounter in Laurel, Batangas on Thursday.

Three other suspected drug pushers were killed in anti-drug operations in Maguindanao and South Cotabato yesterday.

Intelligence officers were conducting surveillance operations against a group of men suspected to be involved in a series of robberies in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) when they were fired at along the Laurel-Talisay highway at around 4:20 p.m., Senior Supt. Alden Delvo, Batangas police director, said yesterday.

Senior Inspector Alvin Kison and Senior Police Officer 2 Edilberto Aclan Eje of the Batangas police intelligence unit died while being treated at the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital.

Ervin Ariola, alias Utoy, and Darren Suarez died at the scene.

Delvo said Ariola was a drug surrenderee while Suarez was charged with  frustrated murder and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In Maguindanao, Maguid Sinduan resisted arrest and shot police and military operatives who raided his hideout in Barangay Kiadap, Talitay,  Juvenal Azurin, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director, said.

Sinduan’s s wife Farida was arrested.

Around P1 million worth of shabu and various types of firearms were recovered from the suspects, alleged to be members of the Amiril drug ring operating in Talitay and nearby towns.

Melvin Montebon and Ryan Barcacel drew their guns and fired at anti-drug operatives who tried to arrest them in Norala, South Cotabato, police said.

Two police officers were wounded in the gunfight.

12 arrested

In Bulacan, 10 drug suspects were arrested in San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan Sta. Maria, San Miguel, Plaridel and Hagonoy yesterday.

They reportedly yielded 49 sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia and marked money.

Drug surrenderee Michael Lizada, 35, and Antonio Boqueo, 48, were collared in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi and Sto. Cristo, Tabaco, both in Albay.

In Kalinga, more than 4,000 marijuana plants and seedlings worth around P1 million were destroyed in three sitios in Barangay Bugnay, Tinglayan on Thursday.  – Emmanuel Tupas, Arnell Ozaeta, John Unson, Artemio Dumlao, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Celso Amo