MANILA, Philippines — Four drug suspects have been killed in alleged shootouts with police officers in Iloilo, Cavite, Rizal and Benguet since Saturday.
Alex Blanca Sr., 52, reportedly drew his gun when he sensed that he had transacted with policemen who posed as buyers of shabu in Barangay Boulevard, Molo, Iloilo yesterday.
Marcelo Ruiz, 32, alias Toto, reportedly fired at police officers who tried to arrest him in Barangay San Nicolas 3, Bacoor, Cavite at around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Superintendent Vicente Cabatingan, Bacoor police chief, said Ruiz was among the 23 inmates who bolted the city jail last month.
In Rizal, Verlito Calixtro, alias Boyong, a remnant of the Chavez drug ring, allegedly fired at police officers in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo at around 4 p.m. also on Sunday.
On Saturday, alleged drug courier John Arguelles, a resident of Quezon City, refused to pull over and shot police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay Cattubo, Atok, Benguet, according to Superintendent Radino Belly, Benguet police intelligence chief.
Belly said more than a kilo of dried marijuana leaves valued at P150,000 were recovered from the fatality. – Non Alquitran, Artemio Dumlao, Jennifer Rendon