4 drug, rob suspects killed in shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Four alleged drug dealers and robbery suspects were killed in police operations in Bulacan and Laguna in the past two days.

Joel Jayson, alias Jeff, and Michael Vincent Agapito allegedly drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Parada, Sta. Maria and Bahay Pare in Meycauayan, respectively.

Police said 19 sachets of shabu, two caliber .38 revolvers, marked money and a motorcycle were recovered from the fatalities.

Senior Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director, said a certain James, an alleged member of the Banzon robbery gang and most wanted drug personality in Los Baños, shot it out with police officers after selling a gun for P13,000 in a sting in Barangay Sala.

Police seized a caliber .38 revolver, a 9mm pistol and marked money from the fatality.

Also in Laguna, a man who reportedly robbed a certain Bernadette Bernarte while waiting for her ride home was killed in an alleged shootout with responding police officers in Calamba City.

The still unidentified suspect died on the way to the JP Hospital. – Ed Amoroso, Non Alquitran