5 slain, 3 nabbed in Ecija drug busts

CABANATUAN CITY – Five suspected drug peddlers were killed and three others were arrested in drug operations conducted in Nueva Ecija province from Tuesday (Aug. 21) to Thursday (Aug. 23), according to the Nueva Ecija police.

Police said Elmer Nuñez, 20; Marvin De Leon; Arnold Supnit and two unidentified suspects, fired at undercover policemen.

Nuñez, police said, was killed about 3:30 a.m. in Gapan City; while Supnit was shot dead in Cuyapo town at 10:30 p.m. and De Leon was shot in this city at 10:50 p.m.during separate drug operations on Wednesday (Aug. 22).

Police killed the unidentified suspect, who was described as 25 to 30 years old, during an anti-drug operation in Gen. Natividad at 12:32 a.m. on Aug. 23.

The slain suspect in Sta. Rosa town allegedly fought it out with policemen at 12:15 a.m. on Aug. 21.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in this city.

Police operations led to the arrests of Rommel Encinares In Gapan City, and Erick Esteban in Jaen town.

Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy in Guimba town for possessing marijuana.