3 drug suspects slain in Bicol buy-bust

LEGAZPI CITY – Three drug personalities were killed in anti-illegal drug operations in Bicol region in separate drug buy-busts on Wednesday and Thursday, police said Friday.

Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, information officer of Bicol police, said in a report that Romeo Erlano, 45, was killed in a buy-bust operation at Sitio Dalingding, Barangay Rizal in Gubat town, Sorsogon at around 6:35 p.m Thursday. The suspect drew a firearm, prompting the police operatives to shoot and kill him.

Recovered in the crime scene were caliber 357 revolver loaded with five pieces of live bullets, six small heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” and two fired cartridges for caliber 9mm.

At around 12:45 p.m., also Thursday, Herold Casim was killed in shootout during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pantao, Libon, Albay.

On Wednesday, at around 8:30 a.m., Mario Andal, 43, was also killed in Barangay Cabugao, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

Investigations revealed that the operatives were about to arrest the suspect but Andal drew a caliber .38 firearm and fired towards the operatives. Operatives retaliated and killed him instantly.

His still unidentified companion escaped using a motorcycle. CDG