Drug pusher slain, 3 others nabbed in Naga City

LEGAZPI CITY – A suspected drug pusher was killed, while three others were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Tuesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bicol said on Wednesday.

Christian Frivaldo, acting PDEA-Bicol director, quoting a police report, said slain was Alvin Sta. Isabel, 38, was a high-value target included in President Duterte’s drug watch list.

Sta. Isabel apparently sensed that he was transacting with an undercover policeman and fired at the latter, forcing the enforcers to retaliate.

He was instantly killed in Barangay Penafrancia at 2:10 p.m., said Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib.

Also arrested during the buy-bust were Jonathan Paderes, 53, a reporter of the Bicol Broadcasting System, and Rommel Cea, a technician of the same radio station, who was with Sta. Isabel.

At 7:35 p.m., operatives arrested Jose Lamtecson Vasquez and seized from him a sachet containing 50 grams of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth ith a street value of P340,000 and other illegal drug paraphernalia in Barangay Pequena, Frivaldo said.