Drug pusher slain, another hurt in shootouts with Bicol cops

LEGAZPI CITY –– Two alleged notorious drug pushers were killed and another was injured in shootouts with police operatives in separate operations in the Bicol region on Tuesday, a police report said.

In Albay province, Michael Loterte Ardales, 40, of Barangay Burgos, Daraga town, was slain after he allegedly exchanged fire with policemen in Barangay Zone 5 in Libon town at 2:10 p.m., according to Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Recovered from the crime scene was a medium-sized sachet of suspected shabu (crystal meth) worth P20,000, and two plastic bags containing still-undetermined grams of shabu, and a 38 caliber revolver.

In Camarines Sur province, a suspected drug pusher, Dark Darren Gascon, was also killed in a shootout with police, who were serving an arrest warrant for violation of the anti-illegal drug law and illegal possession of firearms at his residence in Barangay Santa Justina West of Buhi town at 9:22 p.m.

Recovered from the crime scene were five sachets of shabu, two .38- caliber handgun, a revolver of unknown caliber, and ammunition, the report said.

In Legazpi City, Albay, Loren Peralta Bazar, alias Bogs, of Barangay 16 East Washington, was injured in a shootout with the police around 9:45 p.m. at Wacky’s Carwash and resto-bar in Barangay Oro Site.

Bazar, considered a high-value target drug peddler, was rushed to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital for treatment of bullet wounds on his head. Police recovered an undetermined amount of meth from Bazar.

In Naga City, Camarines Sur, police arrested Reggie Roldan alias Pangas, and Jovie Castor, 38, after they sold shabu to an undercover agent. Police recovered some P15,000 worth of the drug from the two.

LZB