‘Ozamiz’ rob gang member dead in Cavite buy-bust

SAN PEDRO CITY –– An alleged member of the Ozamiz robbery group was killed in a police anti-drug operation in Silang town in Cavite province, authorities said Friday.

The slain suspect, Arlan Letada, also used the name Esteban Letada, according to a report from the Calabarzon police, was identified as a “high-value” police target for illegal drugs.

Letada also faced arrest warrants for frustrated homicide and a string of other charges that included robbery and car theft.

In a report Friday, authorities said the suspect sold an undercover policeman P1,000 worth of alleged “shabu” (crystal meth) in a buy-bust operation around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Acacia.

Letada allegedly drew out an M16 rifle and fired shots forcing policemen to shoot back. Letada suffered multiple bullet wounds and died on the scene.

Aside from the rifle, police said they recovered a .38 caliber gun and a hand grenade./lzb