SAN PEDRO CITY – Seven suspected criminals and a civilian bystander were killed in separate police operations in the Calabarzon region early Wednesday.
In Nasugbu, Batangas, five suspected members of a robbery and illegal drugs group were slain in a shootout at Sitio (sub-village) Palakulan in Barangay (village) Wawa around 6 a.m.
Chief Inspector Ronald Cayago, Nasugbu police chief, said the slain men —siblings Rudy, Roland, and Rico, all surnamed Francisco, Arian Hernandez, and an alias “Scoth Pacia” — were members of the Francisco robbery group that was also engaged in the illegal drugs trade in Batangas.
In a text message, Batangas police director Sr. Supt. Edwin Quilates said the local police and members of the Police Maneuver Force implemented a search warrant in three houses of the suspects when the shootout happened.
The police, however, had yet to give details on how the gunfight began but said they recovered four guns of calibers .45, .38, and 22 and a hand grenade.
They also arrested two other suspected gang members identified only as an alias “Eva” and “Eric.”
Hours prior the incident, another shootout left drug suspect Anthony Signapan dead in Barangay Niugan, Cabuyao City, Laguna.
A report from the regional police headquarters said the police conducted a buy-bust operation around 3:40 a.m. when Signapan allegedly fired shots at the law enforcers.
In Tanay, Rizal, drug suspect Abet Barillo was killed during a buy-bust operation by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency around 10 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Tandang Kutyo.
The police said Barillo was a “notorious” illegal drug dealer in Tanay and Antipolo City.
Recovered were a .38 caliber gun and six sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).
In Barangay dela Paz, Antipolo City, a shootout between patrolling policemen and four suspected criminals took place around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
A police report said police were conducting road inspection when fired upon by the suspects. The gunmen escaped on foot but wounded Sr. Police Officer 1 Edwin Pasion on the shoulder and Police Officer 2 Eric Sagun on the leg.
A bystander identified as Leonardo Martinez was hit and was taken to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center but died shortly after.