Rizal drug bust leads to shootout, arrest of 3 suspects

LUCENA CITY––Anti-illegal drugs police operatives engaged four men in an armed confrontation during a buy-bust operation Friday, July 23, in San Mateo, Rizal province.

The Calabarzon police reported that its operatives were arresting Efren Argallo and Daniela Teobengco after a drug bust in San Mateo at 12:20 a.m. when four men armed with handguns appeared, and fired at the policemen.

After a brief exchange of gunfire, the gunmen withdrew and ran away.

The pursuing police arrested one of the gunmen, Alexander Alvarez, and seized a caliber 9mm pistol loaded with 10 bullets.

No policeman was hurt during the shooting incident.

Authorities detained Argallo and Tobago from whom they seized three plastic sachets of a still-undetermined amount of shabu.

The three suspects were put in jail and are facing corresponding criminal charges, the report said. INQ

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