4 killed in Nueva Ecija, Laguna drug stings

MANILA, Philippines — Four drug suspects were killed in drug stings in Nueva Ecija and Laguna on Wednesday.

Col. Jaime Santos, Nueva Ecija police officer-in-charge, said Marcelino Avila, alias Bornok, and Willie Jose shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Sibul, Talavera and Talabutab Sur, Gen. Natividad, respectively.

Antonio Dalit, who was ranked 10th on the list of most wanted persons in the province, and Jhondie Helis allegedly opened fire at policemen serving an arrest warrant for illegal drugs at their hideout in Barangay Canlalay in Biñan City at around 4:30 p.m.

Police said shabu, drug paraphernalia and the guns used by the slain suspects were recovered.

In Maguindanao, P3.4 million worth of shabu was recovered from Santokan Mantikayan in a sting in Talayan, also on Wednesday.

Mantikayan managed to escape when he sensed he was transacting with undercover agents.

Glenn Gilbert Padura, alleged leader of a drug ring operating in the third district of Batangas, was arrested in San Pascual town.

Col. Glicerio Cansilao, Batangas police director, said they are verifying reports that Padura’s group was connected to an international drug syndicate. – Emmanuel Tupas, John Unson, Ed Amoroso