Drug suspect slain in shootout with Nueva Ecija cops

ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija, Philippines — A drug suspect was killed after he fired a gun at police officers during a buy-bust operation here on Saturday evening, police said.

Maj. Jaime Ferrer, the chief of the Zaragoza Municipal Police Station, identified the slain suspect as Martin Pacba, a resident of nearby Santa Rosa town.

Ferrer said Pacba drew his .38-caliber revolver and shot police officers as he was being arrested.

Police shot back and killed Pacba, who was included in the police’s drug watchlist.

Recovered from the suspect were 10 sachets containing suspected crystal meth, locally known as shabu, worth P10,000, P500 marked money, a motorcycle, and his firearm.