Drug suspect slain in shootout with Cabanatuan cops

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija –– A suspected drug peddler in Cabanatuan City was killed in an alleged encounter with policemen at dawn on Monday, Jan. 25.

Lt. Col. Heryl Bruno, acting Cabanatuan police chief, said the slain suspect, Jonas Romero alias “Joshua,” resident of Barangay MS Garcia in the city, was on the drug watch list of Cabanatuan.

Bruno said Romero fired a .38-caliber revolver at the anti-drug operatives who fought back, fatally hitting Romero during the exchange of fire in Barangay San Miguel Na Munti.

Forensic investigators recovered the suspect’s handgun, the marked P500 bill, and a sachet of “shabu” (crystal meth).

Bruno said the buy-bust was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

LZB