Alleged drug trader killed in shootout with Laguna cops

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines—A suspected illegal drug trader was killed in a gunfight with policemen in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna province on Wednesday, police said.

Insp. Roselle Orate, Laguna police information officer, said members of the Sta. Rosa police conducted a buy-bust operation to arrest Anthony Evangelista at 4 a.m. in Barangay (village) Sinalhan.

Evangelista, accompanied by another man, had sold shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P125,000 to police agents.

When policemen tried to arrest the suspects, Orate said Evangelista drew his gun and fired, prompting the lawmen to return fire.

Evangelista died on the way to a hospital in Sta. Rosa while his companion escaped.

Last week, another illegal drug suspect, identified as Ewin Bato, died in a gunfight with policemen following a buy-bust operation also in Sta. Rosa City.

READ: Alleged drug pusher killed in Laguna shootout

No policeman was wounded in these encounters. RAM