Welder killed in Ecija drug bust

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija – A welder, who ranked eighth in the province’s drugs watch list, was killed while six others were arrested in separate police operations held in Nueva Ecija on Friday (Jan. 3), police reported on Saturday (Jan. 4).

Ernesto Pascual, 30, was shot dead by policemen who retaliated when the welder allegedly triggered the gunfight at 7:50 p.m. in Barangay (village) Adorable here, said Police Col. Leon Victor Rosete, director of the Nueva Ecija provincial police office.

Pascual shot at an undercover policeman “but missed,” he said. Recovered from the suspect were his handgun and five sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth).

On the same day, simultaneous drug operations led to the arrest of Gemma Sarenas (also known as Gina Sanchez),53, of Barangay Sarenas and Renato Perez, 47, of DS Garcia village, and construction worker Renier Rayo, 37, of Barangay Bagong Sikat, all in Cabanatuan City.

Also detained were Restituto Parungao, 53, of Barangay Mangino in Gapan City; Roselyn Roxas, 32, of Barangay 12 in Gen. Tinio town; and Joseph Almuete,40, of Bakal III village in Talavera town.

All are facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law).