Drug pusher slain, 2 nabbed in drug stings in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY –– A number one alleged illegal drug pusher in Sorsogon City was killed in a shootout with police, while two other drug peddlers were arrested in a separate drug sting on Sunday night in Masbate and Albay provinces.

The police drug operation yielded 17 sachets containing suspected “shabu” (crystal meth), said Police Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Calubaquib said Renato Jintalan Jr., 46, a resident of Barangay Bucalbucalan in Sorsogon City, resisted arrest and was killed in a shootout with police operatives in a drug buy-bust around 6:15 p.m. along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Ticol.

Calubaquib said Jintalan was also the number two high-value target operating in Sorsogon province.

Recovered from the crime scene were four sachets of shabu, a .38 caliber revolver, a motorcycle, and a cellphone.

In Uson town in Masbate, anti-narcotics operatives collared Serafin David Jr., 43, a resident of Barangay Buenasuerte, at 9:50 p.m.

The suspect, whose name was included in the drugs watch list, was caught in possession with five sachets of shabu.

In Polangui town in Albay, Bobbie James Gregorio, 40, a resident of Barangay San Felipe in Naga City, was caught with eight sachets of shabu during a drug operation at 11:20 a.m at the Philippine National Railways Terminal in Barangay Basud.

Edited by Lzb