5 dead in Luzon drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Five more drug suspects were killed in drug busts in Laguna, Batangas and Camarines Norte in the past two days.

Senior Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director, said Ramon Awitan resisted arrest after selling shabu to a police officer in Barangay Majada, Calamba.

Matta said the fatality was a member of Barok Fajardo gang, which is involved in robberies and illegal drugs.

Jericho Ricafrente reportedly engaged police officers in a shootout in Barangay San Isidro, Cabuyao also in Laguna.

In Batangas, Francis Asihan and John Carlo Bagon drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Wawa, Batangas City, Superintendent Sancho Celedio, city police chief, said.

Police said Ronnie Labaro was shot dead when he fired at anti-narcotics agents in Barangay 1, Vinzons, Camarines Norte.

3 slain in shootings

Meanwhile, Police Officer 1 Ali Mama died in an ambush in Cotabato City. His companion PO1 Jolace Guiamad was wounded and remained confined in a hospital yesterday.

Security guard Johnny Guinto was riding a motorcycle when he was shot along Sousa street also in Cotabato City.

In M’lang, North Cotabato, Jun Panangulon, commander of the 108th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was shot on his way to a banana plantation in Barangay Gaunan.

The companions of both Guinto and Panangulon were wounded. – Non Alquitran, John Unson, Emmanuel Tupas