CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A drug suspect was killed in an alleged encounter with police officers in Lucena City, Quezon province at dawn yesterday.
In Laguna, 17 persons were arrested after they were caught conducting drug sessions on Saturday night.
On the same night, a former police officer who has gone AWOL (absent without leave) was arrested in a sting in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Rainier Magadia, alias Migs, died at the scene after he allegedly engaged police officers in a shootout in Barangay Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City at around 3 a.m.
Magadia allegedly pulled out a gun after sensing that he was dealing with an undercover agent.
A plastic sachet said to contain shabu was seized from the suspect, who was on the drug list of the city police, according to Senior Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman.
Meanwhile, Alan Altobar, a former member of the Quezon City police, reportedly sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay St. Matthew, said Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, acting director of the Bulacan police.
Among those arrested in drug sessions in Barangay Canlalay, Biñan were two minors and a 50-year-old man, identified as Ferdinand Frias.
Police said the target of the raid were Julieto Salinas, 39, and Jeffrey delos Santos, 31, both alleged drug suppliers in the village.
Most of the drug suspects were on the police watchlist and surrenderees under Oplan Tokhang, according to Superintendent Ronan Claravall, city police chief. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Ramon Efren Lazaro