‘Nanlaban’ in Albay: 2 drug suspects gunned down

LEGAZPI CITY – Two drug suspects were killed in separate drug busts on Friday night in Albay province, the provincial police reported on Saturday.

In Oas town, Ronilo Alcazar, considered a high-value target by police and a resident of Legazpi City, was killed in a shootout with the police, according to Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Initial investigation showed that he suspect sold a sachet of shabu (crystal meth) to an undercover agent along the highway in Barangay Calzada at around 10:35 p.m.

The suspect, sensing that the drug transaction was a police set up, drew a handgun, prompting police operatives to fire at him.

The suspect died while on the way to the Josefa Belmonte Duran Provincial Hospital in nearby Ligao City.

Meanwhile Chalo Celso Cario Rivero, a resident of Barangay 16 in Legazpi City, was killed in a shootout with police when he resisted arrest after a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pawa at around 7:55 p.m., Calubaquib said.

The suspect also died while being taken to the nearest hospital at the city center.

 gsg