‘Notorious’ drug pusher gunned down by ex-associates in Lucena

LUCENA CITY, Quezon—A suspected drug pusher was shot dead inside his house here shortly before Tuesday midnight by his alleged former associates in the illegal drug trade, police said Wednesday.

Supt. Reynaldo Maclang, newly assigned Lucena City police chief, said three unidentified suspects armed with short firearms and wearing face masks barged in the house of the victim, Martin Tan, 40, in Barangay (village) Ibabang Iyam at around 11:20 p.m.

The suspects fired at the victim, killing him on the spot, police report said.

Maclang tagged the victim as a “notorious drug peddler”.

“He has been the subject of series of complaints from residents in the area because of his illegal drug activities,” Maclang said.

Based on initial investigation, Maclang said the suspects could have been former associates of the victim in the illegal drug trade due to “onsehan” (double-dealing).

Maclang also said the suspects carted away some of the victim’s belongings although he did not specify which items were missing from the crime scene.