Drug war: 3 slain in Bulacan, Quezon

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged leader of a drug ring and two other suspected drug dealers were  killed in reported shootouts with anti-narcotics agents in Quezon and Bulacan in the past two days.

Magtanggol Florante de Castro of the Castro drug ring fired at police officers serving a search warrant at his residence in Sitio Kalamias, Barangay San Isidro, Candelaria, Quezon at around 6 a.m. on Saturday, Senior Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, Quezon police director, said yesterday.

De Castro’s alleged cohorts identified as Joel Salud and Julius Dagli were arrested.

De Guzman said De Castro and his cohorts are “high-value” drug targets, who are also tagged in contract killings.

In Bulacan, police said an alias Elmer  drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to law enforcers who posed as buyers in Barangay Caypombo, Sta. Maria at around 11 p.m. on  Saturday.

Edelito Samson, alias Bait, reportedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangay Piel, Baliwag at around 1:50 a.m. yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, acting Bulacan police director, said 12 sachets of shabu and two caliber .38 revolvers were recovered from the fatalities.

In Ilocos Norte, Gerald Ballesteros, who is ranked seventh on the drug watchlist in Sarrat town, and his unidentified companion reportedly shot it out with police officers in a sting in Barangay 14 San Juan. The suspects managed to escape.

Three persons were arrested in drug stings in Dagupan and Rosales in Pangasinan also on Saturday. Two others were apprehended during a pot session in Barangay Trenchera, Tayug. – Ed Amoroso, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Cesar Ramirez