‘High-value’ suspect dead in Laguna shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY – A man tagged as “high-value” police target for illegal drugs trade was killed in a buy-bust operation in Calamba City, Laguna on Tuesday.

Senior Supt. Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director, identified the suspect as Ali Basher Adiong, alias “Boss Tan.”

Matta said two policemen, one of them undercover, led the buy-bust around 12:30 a.m. in Barangay Canlubang.

During the transaction, Adiong allegedly fired shots and hit Police Officer 1 (PO1) Mark Anthony Burgos in the chest.

Burgos, who was then wearing a bulletproof vest, fell on the ground, as another policeman, PO1 Pablo Caraga, returned fire and hit Adiong.

Adiong and Burgos were both rushed to a hospital but the suspect died.

Matta said Adiong was also involved in gun-for-hire activities in the province.

Authorities recovered a .45-caliber gun and six sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth). Maricar Cinco/lzb