1 dead, 8 held for drugs in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY – A 21-year-old jobless resident of San Leonardo town was killed while eight other suspects were arrested in separate police operations in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday (Aug. 21), police reported Wednesday (Aug. 22).

John Rey Francisco, also called “Bukol,” fired at policemen during a 4 a.m. drug bust, and was killed when the police retaliated in Barangay (village) Nieves at San Leonardo, according to Chief Insp. Ranny Casilla, San Leonardo police chief.

Police recovered the suspect’s gun and six sachets of shabu (crystal meth) with a combined street value of P6,000, said Casilla.

Meanwhile, various drug operations led to the arrest of fruit vendor Maria Cecilia, 46; Menard Ramirez, 28; Ronnel Dela Cruz, 31; market vendor Loreta Mactal, 34; and Eusebio Bautista, 43, all in this city.

In Talavera town, the police caught Marlon Paguio, 26, of Barangay Bantug.

In Cabiao town, police arrested 18-year-old Jeffrey Cencilla and a 17-year-old boy.

All the suspects were charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law. Armand Galang/lb