3 slain, 1 nabbed in Ecija’s anti-drug stings

CABANATUAN CITY — Three suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate anti-drug operations in Nueva Ecija within 24 hours, police reported.

Police Col. Leon Victor Rosete, Nueva Ecija police director, identified the suspects as Jomar De Guzman of Gapan City, Melchor Anarcon of Lupao town, and Remelton Tecson of this city.

De Guzman was killed after a gunfight with policemen in Barangay Callos, Peñaranda town about 5 a.m., while Anarcon was hit by retaliating cops in Barangay Sto. Niño, San Jose City at 12:55 a.m., both on Wednesday.

Tecson, on the other hand, was killed during a police operation in Barangay Mabini Homesite here at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

A woman identified as Janet Alzate, 40, who was with Tecson during the buy-bust operation, was arrested for allegedly conniving with the suspect and possessing two sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth), said Lt. Col. Ponciano Zafra, city police chief.

Tecson and Anarcon were reportedly armed with .9-mm pistols, while De Guzman had a .38-caliber revolver, police said. Armand Galang