Suspect dead, village chief nabbed in Batangas

SAN PEDRO CITY — An illegal drug suspect was killed in a buy-bust operation in Lipa City in Batangas province on Wednesday evening, police said Thursday.

A report from the Batangas police said police shot and killed Adrian Ablian, tagged as a high-value target for illegal drugs, in a buy-bust operation around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay (village) Celestino.

The police said Ablian fired but missed forcing police officers to shoot him down.

Recovered from the suspect were a .45 caliber gun and five sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth).

In Ibaan town, Emiliano Barte, village captain of Barangay San Agustin, was arrested for illegal possession of firearms around 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said Barte was the leader of the so-called Barte Criminal Gang which was being linked to Ibaan mayor Juan Toreja.

Toreja, who has earlier denied the accusations and announced that he was no longer running for the May elections, was among the local chief executives named by President Duterte as involved in the illegal drugs trade. /lzb