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LUCENA CITY––A policeman and a drug suspect were killed in a buy-bust operation on Sunday, April 24, that ended in an armed encounter in Tanza town in Cavite province.
Tanza police reported that anti-illegal drugs operatives initiated a buy-bust operation around 9:50 a.m. in Barangay Biga against suspected drug pusher Leovigildo Alangilan, 43.
The suspect resisted the arrest, tried to escape, and engaged policemen in a brief chase, said investigators.
When cornered, Alangilan reportedly drew a .45-caliber pistol and fired at the operatives, hitting Cpl. John Paul Digma on his chest.
The report said the suspect also drew a hand grenade, but it exploded in his hand.
The other policemen repeatedly fired at the suspect, who died on the spot.
Digma was rushed to Tanza Specialist Hospital but died while undergoing treatment.
Police recovered a .45-caliber pistol with five bullets, a 9mm-caliber pistol with eight bullets, and marijuana.
The Calabarzon police, in another report, said anti-narcotics agents nabbed Tito Albeza, Jeffrey Morales, Ereneo Resuello, Reynan Bacalso, and Teddy Ternal in another drug sting at 10:20 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Niog 1.
Investigators said the suspects yielded sachets of meth with a street value of P61,200.
The suspects were detained and will face a formal complaint in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.