4 gang members, 3 drug suspects shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — Four suspected members of a criminal gang were killed in alleged shootouts with police officers in Zamboanga del Sur yesterday.

Ramon Batayan and his brother Rondi and their two unidentified companions shot it out with law enforcers who raided their hideout in Barangay Cumaron, Midsalip town at about 5:30 a.m., Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said.

The Batayan brothers were ranked seventh in Midsalip’s most wanted list. Their group was also tagged in contract killings and carjackings, police said.

Tricycle driver Orlando da Jose, 50, reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in a public cemetery in Barangay Cabugao, Echague, Isabela on Wednesday night.

Erick Manicad allegedly fired at anti-narcotics agents who tried to arrest him in Barangay Santor, Malolos, Bulacan also on Wednesday.

Probers said drugs could be the motive for the killing of Joseph Anthony Seno, 33, a former barangay kagawad, who was shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding men who entered his family’s compound in Sumilihon, Butuan at around 7:45 a.m. yesterday. 

Meanwhile, 260 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P3 million were recovered from Rayden Palomero and Rica Mitch, who were arrested in Barangay 1, Bacolod, Negros Occidental on Wednesday. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Emmanuel Tupas, Cesar Ramirez, Ben Serrano