2 alleged drug pushers dead in Batangas shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY — Two suspected drug suspects were killed in a shootout with the police in Sto. Tomas town in Batangas province early on Sunday.

The police identified them as Marcelino Ramos alias “Abudo” or “Ace” and his female companion, Ma. Montessa Guevarra. Ramos, according to police, ranked third in the police’s list of “high value targets” in relation to the illegal drug trade in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon region.

According to the police report, members of the regional police drug enforcement unit conducted a buy-bust operation around 2:30 a.m. in Barangay (village) San Isidro.

It said that undercover policemen were able to buy “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P5,000.

The police were about to arrest them when both suspects drew out guns and opened fire. The police said they were forced to shoot down the suspects. /je