4 dead in Laguna buy-busts

SAN PEDRO CITY – Four suspected illegal drug pushers were killed in separate police operations in Laguna, police said.

The incidents happened around midnight Tuesday mostly Laguna’s fourth district, said Senior Supt. Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director.

In Biñan City, a still unidentified male suspect was killed in a buy-bust operation around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Canlalay.

The police conducted the operation in the suspect’s house along the railway when the suspect suddenly drew out a .45 caliber gun and shot, but missed undercover police assets. The authorities shot back and killed him, Matta said in a text message.

In Lumban town, Francisco Padua, alias Kid, 45, was slain in a shootout at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Balimbingan.

Padua was listed in the police drugs watchlist. Recovered from him were a .38-caliber gun.

In Kalayaan town, an alias Mike was killed around 10:45 p.m. Monday in Barangay Longos, Matta said.

The suspect reportedly sold to undercover Police Officer 1 Mark Anthony Espiritu suspected shabu (crystal meth) worth P1,000.

Matta said the suspect later recognized the policeman and fired shots, prompting the officer to retaliate.

In Cavinti, a suspect identified only as Edwin was slain in a buy-bust operation around 10:50 p.m. along the national highway in Barangay Lumot.

The police said they recovered five sachets of suspected shabu and a .38-caliber gun. Police said the death of the suspect would “reduce” drug trade particularly in Lumot, West Talaongan, and East Talaongan.

On Monday, five people had also died in a series of anti-drug operations in the province.