2 drug suspects killed in shootout with cops

MANILA, Philippines — Two drug suspects were killed in alleged shootouts with police officers in Bulacan and Quezon on Friday.

Col. Lawrence Cajipe, acting Bulacan police director, said Junard Santos fired at police officers during a drug sting in Barangay Muzon, San Jose del Monte City at around 9:30 p.m.

Two other suspects were arrested in drug busts in San Miguel and Calumpit, also on Friday.

In Quezon, Michael Zafranco, who was accused of raping an 11-year-old girl with mental illness, shot police officers who tried to arrest him in Barangay Isabang.

Lt. Col. Romulo Albacea, city police director, said Zafranco was on the drug watchlist.

In Negros Occidental, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recovered 100 grams of shabu in the cargo warehouse of the Bacolod-Silay Airport yesterday.

PDEA provincial chief Nicholas Gomez said drug-sniffing dogs detected the illegal drugs, with an estimated street value of P680,000 which were sent through a courier service.