Drug suspect slain in Laguna, son of ex-mayor nabbed in Batangas

SAN PEDRO CITY – A son of a former mayor of Tanauan City, Batangas province was arrested, while an illegal drug suspect was killed in a police operation in Laguna.

Armando Moron was killed in a shootout around 10:30 p.m. in Barangay (village) Palo Alto, Calamba City, according to regional police spokesperson Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran on Tuesday.

She said this was after the police served an arrest warrant against Moron, who was classified by the police as a “high value target” and seventh most wanted criminal in Calamba City.

The warrant was issued by judge Maria Florencia Formes-Baculo of the regional trial court branch 34 in Calamba City.

During the operation, Moron allegedly opened fire, prompting the shootout. Moron died on the spot, the police said.

Authorities recovered a. 45 caliber gun, several bullets, and two sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).

In Batangas, police arrested Eric Lirio after authorities found about 25 grams of suspected shabu in his car in Tanauan City on Monday afternoon. Lirio, 45, is a son of former Tanauan City mayor Paquito Lirio.

Supt. Renato Mercado, chief of Tanauan police, said the chase on Lirio’s vehicle began in Sto. Tomas town after authorities flagged down the car, a black Honda Civic, that did not have a plate number.

“But instead of yielding, he continued driving prompting a chase,” Mercado said in a phone interview Tuesday.

He said the suspect sped off until it reached Tanauan City. The suspect sideswiped a car, a tricycle, and a motorcycle and stopped only after it crashed onto another car in Barangay Riverside.

When police caught up, they found alleged shabu in the car. It also turned out that the car was stolen in Muntinlupa City.

In 2007, Lirio was also arrested by the police for stealing a car from
a commercial area in Tagaytay City, Cavite.

Mercado said they filed drug charges, car theft and reckless imprudence for the damage left on other motorists.