Laguna drug group member killed in shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY – An alleged member of an illegal drugs syndicate  group was killed, while his companion escaped in a police operation in San Pablo City, Laguna Friday evening.

Laguna police director Sr. Supt. Eleazar Matta said the slain suspect, Gilbert “Bheng” Flores, 47, a resident of Barangay (village) San Francisco, is a high value target in the war on drugs.

Matta said a buy-bust operation was carried out by police officers to snare Flores and his companion, Redentor Vergara at around 6:30 p.m. in Barangay Sta. Isabel.

He said that during the transaction, the suspects, carrying a .45 caliber pistol and a machine gun, suddenly opened fire, triggering a shootout.

Police said Flores was a member of the notorious Amante Drug Group that distributed illegal drugs in the province’s third district.

In 2017, Damaso Amante, who authorities said was involved in the illegal drugs trade, was gunned down by still unidentified men.

Damaso was the brother of former San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante, and an uncle of the incumbent chief executive, Loreto Amante. / gsg