LUCENA CITY, Quezon – A total of 23 illegal drug suspects were arrested while two others were killed in simultaneous drug bust and search warrant operations in three sub-villages of Barangay Cotta of this city Monday afternoon.
Supt. Vicente S. Cabatingan, Lucena City police chief, said Tuesday that joint personnel from the Lucena City Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Quezon provincial office conducted the operations in Masagana, Matahimik Isla, and Buklod Pagkakaisa at about 4 p.m.
Cabatingan identified the arrested suspects in Purok Masagana as Ronel Acunin Cajarito, former drug surrenderer, and his live-in partner Edna Jayco Buitizon.
Oscar Abrera de Luna, Mark Anthony Pabrine Estacio, Reynaldo Baluyot Barrun, Lorensita Lasarte Ario, Crisanto Doritiso Maring, Roy Natal Mandak, and Arnold Calauigan Torres were arrested in Purok Matahimik Isla.
Louie Falierna Rosa alias Louie; Raymar Masalunga Pedragosa alias Kulot; Dante Capistrano Pantua alias Kanin; Roderick Maliit Baluyot; Ronald Pilar Baluyot; Angelo Fernandez delas Alas; Gerwin Aurellana Casapao; Reggie Ignacio Nepales; and Daryl De Leon Pantua, were rounded up in Purok Matahimik Isla.
Meanwhile. Christopher Camachu Madlangbayan alias Topher; Rafael Bacay Dimarucot; Jay Augustine Peña alias Jepoy also a surrenderer; and Julius Victoriano Semilla alias Julius, Danilo Ong Buhay were nabbed in Buklod Pagkakaisa.
Cabatingan identified the slain suspects as Jonathan Mercurio Romano of Purok Matahimik Isla; and
Ruel Kuan in Purok Matahimik Isla.
He said the joint operations also resulted in the confiscation of about 35 grams of suspected shabu with estimated street value of PHP115,000; eight zip-lock plastic packs of marijuana with street value of PHP4,000; drug paraphernalia; and firearms and ammunition.
The joint operations were supported by Quezon police provincial director Senior Supt. Rhoderick C. Armamento, together with Quezon's PDEU, PDEA and SWAT and the 1st Company of the Quezon Police Mobile Force Company. (Gideon Belen/PNA)
