2 drug suspects killed in clash with cops in Laguna

FILE PHOTO

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines — Two alleged drug pushers were shot and killed by policemen in a buy-bust operation in Calamba City, Laguna, on Saturday night, police said on Sunday.

Supt. Fernando Ortega, Calamba City police chief, identified the slain as Aljon Andres, 21, of Barangay San Cristobal, and one “Rafael.”

READ: Cebu’s ‘top drug lord’ killed in police encounter | Suspected drug pusher in Bohol killed in buy-bust

Ortega said policemen conducted a buy bust operation in Barangay Banlic at10 p.m. Saturday.

As lawmen were about to arrest the suspects, the suspects opened fire, said Ortega.

A third suspect, whom the police identified as “Sargot,” escaped on a motorcycle.

Ortega said the suspects were known illegal drug pushers in the community.

Policemen recovered six sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and two handguns.

“We’ve been implementing (buy bust operations) even before, it’s just that we are also now running after those in possession of illegal firearms,” Ortega said, when asked about the prevalence of shootouts with drug suspects as the oath-taking of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte draws near.

Duterte, who won on a platform of anti-criminality and anti-corruption, has said his administration would end crime by giving lawmen the authority to shoot and kill armed criminals and drug pushers who would resist arrest.

Ortega said the remains of the suspects were taken to the King of Heaven funeral home, also in Calamba City, for autopsy./rga