CABUYAO CITY, Laguna – A total of 12 persons died while 79 crime and drug suspects were arrested during two days of intensified operations conducted by the Laguna police this week.
In this city, a still unidentified male suspect was killed in Barangay Banlic at about 4 a.m. Thursday after resisting arrest and firing at police operatives during a chase.
City police chief, Supt. Arvin Avelino, said village officials had sought help from law enforcers after the suspect and his companion were seen suspiciously driving around the village on board a motorcycle.
The cops were about to apprehend the suspects when the latter suddenly fired at them, prompting the operatives to return fire, killing one of them. The other suspect escaped on his motorcycle.
Police recovered a .45 caliber gun from the crime scene.
The Laguna police also reported that 10 buy-bust operations in cities and towns resulted in armed encounters that led to the death of 11 other drug personalities.
In Barangay Dila in Bay, Laguna, a certain alias "Toothpick", who had been linked to the trade of loose firearms, was killed during a police operation.
The 10 other slain suspects were identified as Leo Strell alias “Toto” in Barangay Canlalay in Biñan City; a ceertain Noli de Castro alias “Noli” at PCCARD Road in Barangay Timugan in Los Baños; Resel Ortega in Barangay Turbina and Miguel Centeno, alias “Igue”, in Barangay Parian, both in Calamba City;
Harry Kris Landicho alias “Neger” in Barangay San Francisco and Leonardo Reyes Perez in Barangay II-B, both in San Pablo City; Louie Dizon Valenciano in Purok 7 in Barangay Sto. Anghel Norte in Sta Cruz, Laguna; Edgar Layos alias “Toto” in Daang NIA 2 in Barangay Tagapo in Sta. Rosa City.
In Nagcarlan town, an alias “Irilo” and his still unidentified companion were killed in Barangay Yucos at about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Irilo was killed when a drug transaction with undercover Police Officer 3 Danny Piol went haywire and the suspect, sensing he was trading suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) with a cop poseur-buyer, fired at the agent prompting the latter to return fire, killing both Irilo and his cohort.
Reports from the Laguna Police Provincial Office said their operations consisted of buy-busts for their anti-illegal drug campaign; operations against loose firearms; and implementation of search warrants on suspected criminals.
Police said aseveral firearms were confiscated during the armed encounters while sachets containing suspected “shabu”, weighing 39.94 grams, valued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) at PHP132,000.
Law enforcers said they have embarked on the operations against illegal drugs, loose firearms and criminality to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the Yuletide Season. (Robert Maico/PNA)
