Suspected drug gang ‘leader’ slain in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY — A suspected leader of an illegal drug group in Laguna province was killed in a shootout in Siniloan town on Sunday evening, police said Monday.

The slain suspect was identified as Renato Baldemora, allegedly a leader of the Jhondi Baldemora crime syndicate. The group was also allegedly involved in gun-for-hire activities, while Baldemora himself was included in the regional police watchlist for illegal drugs.

According to the police report, the buy-bust was conducted around 9 p.m. Sunday in Barangay (village) Acevida.

An undercover policeman bought a sachet of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P5,000 when Baldemora suddenly opened fire.

Police returned fire and killed Baldemora while his companion, identified as Abdulkader Cali, had escaped.

Police recovered a .45 caliber gun from the scene.