SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – Two suspected peddlers of illegal drugs were killed in a bloody buy–bust operation in Barangay Poblacion here at about 10:40 p.m. Friday, police said.
The suspects were identified only as “alias Visaya” and his cohort.
Cpl. Jerold Lamson, investigator, said the station’s drug enforcement unit led by chief of police Major Joel Dela Cruz conducted the anti-illegal drug sting operation in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency but resulted to “an armed encounter after the suspects sensed that they were transacting with police operatives.”
“The suspects drew their firearms and fired toward the operatives, prompting them to defend themselves,” Lamson said, adding that the duo were hit fatally by retaliating policemen.
Police seized from the place of encounter .45 pistolsand an APV (TIZ 541), reportedly belonging to the suspects, and one sachet of shabu. Also recovered were the two P1,000 marked bills and 13 pieces of boodle money.
In Cabanatuan City, a man was shot dead by unidentified suspects along Circumferential Road, Barangay San Juan Accfa at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday.
Police said they are still trying to establish the identity of the victim who fell beside a red motorcycle with no license plate. The victim whose body was riddled with bullets from unspecified gun caliber was wearing dark blue jeans, black hoodie jacket, and blue face mask, police reported.
Investigators were looking for CCTV footages for possible evidence and witnesses.
