3 dead in Batangas police operations

SAN PEDRO CITY – Three people were killed in separate police operations against illegal drugs and firearms in Batangas province, the police on Thursday said.

According to reports from the provincial police headquarters, the incidents happened between 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

In Lipa City, a still unidentified man was killed during the police’s Oplan Galugad, an operation against loose firearms, in Barangay (village) Banay-banay.

The police said the suspect suddenly appeared from nowhere as the police were conducting its search and fired at the operatives. The police shot back and hit the suspect who died on the way to the Metro San Jose Medical Center. Recovered from the suspect were a .38 caliber gun and six sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).

In Mabini town, suspect Ricky de Vera was killed after putting up a fight with the police during the implementation of a search warrant in his residence in Barangay Pulong Niogan. Police were armed with a warrant issued by judge Agripino Morga of the regional trial court in San Pablo City, Laguna.

De Vera was listed as the top drug personality in Mabini, the police said. Recovered were a .38 caliber gun and nine sachets of suspected shabu.

An anti-drug operation also led to the death of suspect Lorelito “Ruel” Velasquez in Batangas City.

Police said Velasquez must have realized he was dealing with an undercover police officer when he opened fire during a buy bust operation in Barangay Sta. Rita.

Police retaliated and hit the suspect who was pronounced dead on arrival in the hospital. The police found a 202 caliber gun and 17 sachets of shabu.

Meanwhile, in Cavite City, Cavite province, the police arrested Shuvert Matias, a member of the Philippine Navy.

Police said Matias was caught carrying two sachets of suspected shabu along Miranda street in Barangay 14, past midnight on Thursday./lb