Drug suspect killed in buy-bust near Laguna mall

SAN PEDRO CITY — A suspected drug pusher was killed in a shootout with the police in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna province on Thursday evening.

In a text message, Laguna police director Senior Supt. Eleazar Matta said Rommel Baladad, alias “One Side,” was the target of the buy-bust operation conducted at around 9 p.m. in a vacant lot near a mall in Barangay Tagapo.

Police said Baladad must have realized he was dealing with police officers when he drew out a gun and fired shots, triggering a shootout. The suspect died on the way to a hospital.

The police recovered a sachet of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) and a .45 caliber gun from the suspect. /ee