2 suspected drug pushers dead in Batangas

SAN PEDRO CITY — Two men tagged in the illegal drugs trade were killed in a police operation in Balayan town in Batangas province on Friday.

Police said the slain men Gerry Castillejos, 44, a jeweler, and his companion, Ulyses Pantoja, 39, were named in two search warrants for illegal drugs use and sale.

Batangas police director Col. Edwin Quilates, in a report, said the police, armed with a warrant, went to the house in Barangay (village) District 1, where the suspects were believed to be staying at 5:35 a.m. when they were shot at.

He said the police returned fire and hit both suspects in a brief gunfight.

The police brought the suspects to the Metro Balayan Medical Center but both died on the way.

The police recovered a .45-caliber gun from each of the two men and “several” sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) of still undetermined amount, Quilates said. Maricar Cinco