10 slain in Luzon drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Ten persons were killed in anti-drug operations in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Laguna in the past two days.

Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, Central Luzon police director, said Dennis Gabriel Sr., an alias Buboy, a man identified only as Christopher, Ernesto Estevez  and Bobby Hicarfe shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Talipapa, Cabanatuan; Malasin, San Jose City; San Francisco, San Antonio; Cabanatuan City and Gregorio, Cabiao, respectively, in Nueva Ecija.

Archie Chua, also known as Angelo Sabroso, allegedly fired at police officers in a drug bust in Barangay Gumaoc East, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said  more than 600 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of  P4.2  million were seized in a sting in Baliwag and 45 sachets of shabu valued at P250,000 were recovered in Pulilan town.

In Laguna, a certain Meng, Roberto Patricio, Renato Norvaez and Andrew Diato allegedly engaged police officers in shootouts in Barangay Nueva, San Pedro; Banlic, Cabuyao City, and Bucal, Calamba, respectively.

In Benguet, 8,300 fully-grown marijuana plants, 120 kilos of stalks, a kilo of dried leaves, 100 pieces sticks and 1,000 seedlings valued at P11 million were destroyed.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the illegal drugs were seized from seven plantations in Barangays Tacadang and Palina in Kibungan; Cabiten, Mankayan, and Macagang and Kayapa in Bacun.

IS militant held

Meanwhile, Jamael Borar, alias Jamel, an alleged member of the Islamic State and commander of the 119th base command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)and his companion Princess Lumpa were arrested in a drug sting in Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City, Rizal on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, Calabarzon police director, said a sachet of shabu valued at P375,000 and n MILF identification card were recovered from Borar, said to be a “high-value” drug dealer in Rizal.

Carranza said Borar was also tagged in the killing of five PDEA agents and wounding of two others  in an ambush in Barangay Malna, Kapai, Lanao del Sur last October.

CDO mayor’s son

In Pampanga, the eldest son of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Sean, 43, was among eight persons arrested in a drug sting in Angeles City on Saturday.

The PDEA said 310 tablets of ecstasy, five capsules of Dimethyl Tripticase, a plastic bottle which contained 100 Valium tablets, three sachets of kush and .75 grams of cocaine valued at P1 million as well as a weighing scale were recovered from the suspects. – Ed Amoroso, Gerry Lee Gorit, Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao