Peter Co’s ex-driver shot dead while heading to Batangas court

Five unidentified assailants ambushed and killed the former driver of a convicted drug lord Peter Co while on the way to a regional trial court in Batangas City Friday.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson of Calabarzon police, confirmed to INQUIRER.net in a text message that Elvis Areglo was being escorted by personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from the provincial jail to a regional trial court when the shooting happened.

Areglo was about to attend a hearing when the gunmen opened fire at him. He died on the spot, Gaoiran said.

Areglo was also being accused for his involvement in the illegal drug trade, while Co has been serving life sentence in jail since 2001 for drug charges.

Supt. Sancho Celedio, San Pedro City police chief, said Areglo, who was killed around 8 a.m. was detained for drug charges at the Batangas provincial jail. He was on board a BJMP vehicle when their vehicle was stopped by unidentified men.

“Initially [we learned that] there were three to four [gunmen]. [Areglo] was with around five other detainees, who also had a scheduled hearing but it seemed he was the only target,” Celedio said in a phone interview.

Areglo faced drug charges in the towns of Padre Garcia and Rosario in Batangas.

In 2006, he was arrested with two other men in Lipa City, Batangas for transporting large amounts of chemicals allegedly used to manufacture shabu.

“He was a known drug supplier in Batangas and became one of the leaders inside the jail that [detainees] referred to him as ‘Boss Elvis,’” Celedio added. /jpv

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