3 suspects dead in Cavite, Laguna shootouts

SAN PEDRO CITY –– Two suspected highway robbers and an alleged drug pusher were killed in separate police operations in Laguna and Cavite, respectively, early on Wednesday.

In Laguna, police have yet to identify the two slain suspects in a shootout that happened around 3 a.m. in Barangay Balayhangin in Calauan town.

Police said the shootout happened when they were conducting a follow-up operation on a report that a certain Crisanto de los Santos of Bay, Laguna was held at gunpoint by two men on Tuesday evening in Calauan.

The victim earlier reported to the police that two suspects robbed him of his mobile phone and also took his motorcycle.

Members of the regional Highway Patrol Group and the Calauan police were able to find the suspects’ alleged hideout in Barangay Balayhangin. But instead of turning themselves in, the police claimed that the suspects opened fire and hit Staff Sergeant Diosdado Casupang Jr. of the Calauan police in his ankle.

The police returned fire and killed both men.

At about the same time in Bacoor City, Cavite, a buy-bust operation by the police in Barangay Niog 3 led to a firefight, killing the suspect, Alberto Abantao.

Abantao died before reaching the hospital, police said.

ZB