6 killed in Negros Oriental raids

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  —  Six persons were killed in alleged shootouts with law enforcers in simultaneous operations against loose firearms and illegal drugs in Negros Oriental on Wednesday.

The fatalities were identified as Reneboy and Demetrio, both surnamed Fat; Jaime Revilla and Dondon Isugan of Barangay Buenavista; Jun Cabul of Barangay Trinidad, both in Guihulngan, and Constancia Languita of Kabuakalan, Sta. Catalina town.

Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental police director, said 15 other persons, including two barangay officials in Tacpao and Trinidad in Guihulngan, were arrested. The suspects reportedly yielded 21 assorted firearms and explosives.

Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said they assisted the Central Visayas and Negros Oriental police in serving 26 search warrants in Guihulngan, La Libertad, Mabinay and Sta. Catalina.  – Emmanuel Tupas, Mae Clydyl Avila/The Freeman