2 dead, another escapes in Laguna, Cavite anti-drug ops

SAN PEDRO CITY — Two illegal drug suspects were killed while one managed to evade arrest by shooting it out with policemen in separate anti-drug operations in Laguna and Cavite provinces.

In Sta. Cruz, Laguna, a buy-bust operation around 3 a.m. Friday resulted in a gunfight between policemen and drug suspect identified as an alias “Kabag.”

According to a police report, Kabag sold an undercover police a sachet of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) in Barangay (village) Sto. Anghel.

The police were about to arrest him when the suspect drew out a gun and shot his way to get away from law enforcers.

Still in Laguna, drug suspect Arturo Plaza also engaged law enforcers in a gunfight. But, unlike Kabag, Plaza was killed.

Plaza ranked second in the province’s watchlist for drug personalities. He was also the alleged leader of the so-called “Turo” drug group and an alleged member of the Dela Cruz-Sangalangkid crime gang.

According to police, Plaza was killed in a buy-bust operation around 5 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Linga, Calamba City. The police recovered a .38 caliber gun and a sachet of suspected shabu from the slain suspect.

Meanwhile in General Trias City, Cavite, suspect Leo Sipat died in a shootout in Barangay Pasong Camachile 1 around 11 p.m. Thursday.

The suspect allegedly opened fire when he realized he was dealing with police operatives in a buy-bust operation.

Authorities also arrested Sipat’s companions identified as Maru Grace Lugue, Jun Martills, and Jhonsel Endaya. /kga