2 drug suspects killed in Batangas buy-bust; P6.8M ‘shabu’ seized

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug peddlers were killed following a chase with police officers that ended in a firefight in Batangas City.

A report from the Batangas police on Tuesday said a poseur buyer initiated the buy-bust against Melanio Matanguihan and Abdul Wahid inside the suspects’ Honda Jazz at about 11:45 p.m. Monday at Barangay 20.

Police said during the deal, one of the suspects suddenly pulled out a caliber .45 pistol and pointed it at the poseur buyer after noticing that the money handed to him was fake.

The undercover police officer however managed to push the pistol away before getting out of the vehicle. The two then opened fire at the police officers as they sped away.

Back-up police officers onboard a van then chased the suspects, who were later cornered after they crashed into a Mahogany tree a few meters away from where the deal took place.

Police said the suspects then alighted from the car and started shooting. The officers returned fire, killing the suspects.

Involved in the shootout were members of the Batangas Provincial Intelligence Branch – Drug Enforcement Unit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office-4A, and Batangas City Police.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 sachets of suspected “shabu” with a street value of P6.8 million, P1.4 million in “boodle” (cash mixed with paper cutouts) money, two caliber .45 pistols, and the suspects’ vehicle.  /muf