3 drug suspects slain in shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Three suspected drug dealers were killed in alleged shootouts with police officers in Cavite and Rizal in the past two days.

Alex Toquero pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and shot a police officer who posed as a buyer in Barangay Marulas, Kawit at around 12:30 a.m. yesterday, police said.

Alden Gallo, the alleged leader of a group tagged in illegal drugs and contract killings, and his companions reportedly drew their guns when they sensed they were the subjects of a drug raid in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo at around 3 p.m. also yesterday.

In Cavite City, Jonel Sueno reportedly shot police officers who tried to arrest him in Barangay 48A at around 11 p.m. on Friday.

The suspects died at the scene. There were no reported casualties on the side of law enforcers.

Meanwhile, in Caraga, 85 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P648,000 were recovered from nine persons in simultaneous anti-drug operations on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Noli Romana, regional police director, said 71 grams of shabu valued at P482,800 were recovered from Wowie Melencio, 18, in Barangay Mabini, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.

Romana said anti-drug operations were also conducted in Barangay Poblacion, Lingig and Banagayan, Kitcharao in Surigao del Sur; Poblacion, Trento, Borbon in San Francisco and Guadalupe, Esperanza all in Agusan del Sur; Antongalon, Butuan; and Taft, Surigao City.

In Ilocos Sur, Benedict Francisco, 25, a member of the Civil Security Unit of the Laoag city government, was arrested after selling a sachet of shabu worth P500 to undercover agents in Barangay Vira on Friday.