Senior Supt. Benjamin Silo, Jr., Bataan police director, said one drug trader died in Orani town, two in Mariveles and another two in Abucay.
Police operatives conducted buy-bust operations at 12:15 a.m. in Orani, 3:00 a.m. in Mariveles and 3:30 a.m. in Abucay.
Silo, a lawyer, said the police conducted legitimate buybust operations. “Kaya lang nanlaban ang mga suspects kaya napilitan ang mga operatiba na gumanti na dahilan ng kamatayan ng lima,” he said.
Killed were Erwin Tallada in Orani, Pablo Mejia and a still unidentified man in Mariveles and two men believed from Olongapo City in Abucay.
Arrested were one suspected drug pusher in Orani and two others in Abucay; all companions of slain suspects.
Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered five handguns of caliber .45, 9mm and magnum 357, various live ammunitions, spent shells and still undetermined number of sachets of shabu.
The five new deaths brought to 13 the number of suspected drug traders killed in action by Bataan police this July, Silo said.
