3 dead, jail officer held in drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Three drug suspects were killed in anti-drug operations in Bulacan and Rizal in the past two days.

An alias Val reportedly engaged anti-narcotics agents in a shootout in Barangay Igulot, Bocaue, Bulacan yesterday morning. 

The fatality yielded an improvised gun, 10 sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia and marked money, Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, acting Bulacan police director, said.

Rowel Acaso reportedly fired at police officers serving a search warrant for illegal drugs at his house in Barangay Cupang, Antipolo also yesterday.

Police said Mark Bryant Lubaton drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay San Carlos, Binangonan at around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Jail Officer 2 Melandro Lee, 52, was arrested during a raid on his house, which was allegedly used as a drug den,  in Barangay Bagtas, Tanza, Cavite also on Wednesday.

His partner Milet Tulipas, 54, and companions Domingo Padilla and Marvin Palomino, both 43, were arrested.

In Cavite, police confiscated 30 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P200,000 from Guiarel Mitimbang who was nabbed in a drug bust in Barangay San Francisco, General Trias City at past midnight yesterday.

Around 150 grams of shabu valued at P1 million were seized from alleged drug courier Norhaya Mamantal in Batangas City.

In Baguio City, Montelan Manguraca was found dead along the road in Purok Suyok, Barangay Loakan on Wednesday.

Sachets of shabu were reportedly recovered from the fatality.