Cop, 2 drug suspects killed in Bulacan

PLARIDEL, Bulacan , Philippines — A police officer and a drug suspect were killed in a shootout in Barangay Lalangan here on Thursday night.

Another suspect was shot dead in a drug bust in San Rafael town on Friday.

Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, identified the slain police officer as Cpl. Ronnie Tamaliwan of the intelligence unit of the Bulacan police.

Bersaluna said the slain suspect, Nesty Nacino, alias Wek, was recently released from prison on drug charges.

Police said the shootout occurred when personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch and Special Weapons and Tactic team of the Bulacan police responded to a call from chairman Danilo Tayao of Barangay Lalangan that armed men were roaming and threatening village watchmen at a relocation site.

Nacino was cornered in a building under construction.

Meanwhile, Roquelito Balagtas allegedly fired at police officers who posed as buyers of shabu in a sting in Barangay Balagtas BMA.

Three other drug suspects were arrested in San Jose del Monte City, Pulilan and Balagtas.