Drug suspect killed, 4 others nabbed in Camarines Sur

LEGAZPI CITY — A suspected drug pusher was killed while four others were arrested in separate police operations in Camarines Sur province on Friday and Saturday.

Police Major Divino John Pelea, Nabua town police chief, said Jesus Astibe engaged police in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in Barangay (village) Sta. Elena Baras at around 9:35 p.m. on Friday.

Astibe died while being taken to a hospital for bullet wounds.

Police recovered a sachet of shabu (crystal meth) from the suspect who was previously arrested for another drug charge.

In Iriga City, Nestor Avila, 33, was arrested in a separate buy-bust operation in Barangay San Agustin at around 7 p.m.

Seized were nine sachets of shabu, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Paz Magistrado, city police chief.

In Naga City, Ligaya Odevilla, 49, was also arrested in Barangay Calauag at around 4:14 p.m. At least four sachets of shabu were confiscated from Odevilla who was also in the illegal drugs watch list.

Police Major Jonnel Averilla, Calabanga police chief, said Basilio Hipolito, 47, was arrested in a search operation at his residence in Barangay Sabang at around 8 a.m. Found in his kitchen were three sachets of shabu placed inside a plastic canister.

On Saturday, Elmer Gayondato, 54, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Felipe, Naga City at around 12:25 a.m. Two sachets of shabu, a caliber .38 revolver with three bullets and drug tools were recovered from the suspect.

Gayondato was in the illegal drugs watch list, report said.

/MUF