3 drug, rob suspects slain in shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Two alleged drug pushers and a robbery suspect were killed in reported shootouts with police officers in Cavite and Bulacan yesterday.

Julius Jespon reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay San Nicolas 3, Bacoor at around 4:10 a.m.

Seven sachets of shabu, a .38-caliber revolver and an improvised shotgun were recovered from the fatality, police said.

An alias Buddy allegedly shot police officers who tried to arrest him in a drug sting in Barangay Talitip, Bulakan at around 1 a.m.

Thirteen other suspects were arrested in anti-drug operations in Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Hagonoy, San Rafael, Balagtas and San Miguel also in Bulacan.

In Tarlac City, Edizon Diaz, 41, chairman of Barangay Lourdes, was arrested after a raid on his house on Friday yielded sachets of shabu and marijuana. He is the third barangay official in Tarlac arrested for illegal drugs in the past two months.

In Alfonso town in Cavite, police officers were pursuing a robbery suspect in Barangay Buck Estate at around 3 a.m. when a man who has yet to be identified reportedly engaged them in a firefight.– Ramon Efren Lazaro, Emmanuel Tupas, Ding Cervantes