4 dead in police shootouts in Calabarzon

SAN PEDRO CITY –– Four people were killed in separate shootouts with the police in the Calabarzon region.

Reports from the Calabarzon police office showed that two of the incidents happened during buy-bust operations.

In Laguna, provincial police chief Col. Eleazar Matta said suspected drug pusher Erick Masalonga, a tricycle driver from Barangay Parian, Calamba City, was killed in a buy-bust around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Matta said Masalonga, 41, sold suspected shabu (crystal meth) to Patrolman Pablo Carag in Barangay Lawa.

As police were about to arrest him, Masalonga allegedly drew and fired a .38-caliber gun, forcing the police back-up to shoot him down.

In Calatagan, Batangas, suspect Aries Perez was declared dead on arrival at the Calatagan Medicare Hospital, following a shootout with the police in Barangay Lucsuhin around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday.

A report from the regional police said authorities were supposed to implement a search warrant for illegal firearms but were fired upon entering the suspect’s home.

Still in Batangas, suspected drug pusher Alexander Laxamana was killed in a buy-bust operation around 6 p.m. Monday in Barangay Natipuan, Nasugbu.

Police said Laxamana was first to shoot, prompting the policemen to retaliate in defense.

In Imus City, Cavite, suspect Raymond Luazon was killed in a shootout with the police around 10:30 p.m. Monday in Barangay Pasong Buwaya.

A police report said authorities responded to reports of Luazon threatening to harm residents with a bladed weapon.

The police arrived to calm down the suspect but Luazon allegedly tried to attack Patrolman Dexter Hermano.

This prompted Hermano’s partner, Patrolman Ryan Plaza, to shoot down the suspect, who was dead on arrival in the hospital. (Editor: Leti Boniol)