7 drug, robbery suspects gunned down in Laguna and Batangas

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Five drug suspects were killed in police operations while another was shot dead by unidentified men in Laguna and Batangas from Sunday night until dawn yesterday.

Raul Alex Abrosio, alias Ryan, and Rodante Aragao, alias Pasay, drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to anti-narcotics agents who posed as buyers in Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao and Landayan, San Pedro, respectively, according to Senior Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director.

Matta said Aragao supplied illegal drugs to his fellow drivers in San Pedro.

Robert Paredes, alias Bitoy, who was on the drug watchlist in Sta. Rosa also in Laguna, reportedly shot police officers who tried to arrest him in a sting in Barangay Pooc.

In Batangas City, unidentified men shot Genevev Pascual in Barangay Malitam. Police said the fatality was on the drug watchlist.

Benjo Gayod died on the way to a hospital after he reportedly engaged anti-narcotics agents in a shootout in Barangay Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

Tolentino said the fatality was among those who escaped from the San Pedro police lockup in May 2017.

Two suspected members of a robbery gang targeting pawnshops and banks were also killed in an alleged encounter with law enforcers in Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna.

An unidentified gunman killed tricycle driver Ariel de Leon in Barangay Quiling, Talisay, Batangas.

Police have yet to determine if the murder was drug- related.