3 drug suspects slain in shootout with Bulacan cops

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS –– Three drug suspects were killed in a reported shootout with policemen during separate buy-bust operations in Plaridel and Baliwag towns at dawn on Thursday.

Police Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, identified the slain suspects as Mark De Guzman, 29, and Christian Santos, 25, both from Barangay Sta. Barbara in Baliwag.

Bersaluna said the two fired at an undercover agent after sensing that they were transacting with a police asset during the anti-narcotics operation in Plaridel.

Responding policemen retaliated and fatally shot the two.

In another operation in Baliwag, police shot and killed drug suspect Joeben Galicia, 30, who resisted arrest and engaged the lawmen in a gunfight.

Galicia’s companion escaped, police said.

Galicia was among the top illegal drug personalities in Baliwag. Carmela Reyes-Estrope/lzb