2 killed in Luzon drug war

A barangay official was killed in an alleged encounter with police officers in Sorsogon while a drug surrenderee was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Ilocos Norte on Saturday.

Erlan Mirabel, treasurer of Barangay Dinapa, Castilla town, reportedly pulled out a gun after sensing that he was dealing with police officers, according to Chief Inspector Benito Dipad Jr., Bacacay police chief.

Mirabel was declared dead on arrival at the Ziga Memorial District Hospital in Tabaco City.

The suspect was among barangay officials included on the drug list of President Duterte and reportedly ranked first on the watchlist of the Castilla police, Dipad said.

A joint team from the Castilla and Bacacay police stations conducted a sting after receiving reports that Mirabel was visiting his girlfriend in Bacacay.

On the same day, a beach resort caretaker who sur- rendered to Oplan Tokhang last year was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Cresencio Wisco had just arrived home in Barangay Nalvo when he was killed at around 7:30 p.m., according to case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Joey Aninag.

Wisco died at the scene from several gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Probers recovered eight bullet shells for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Meanwhile, in Cebu, police uprooted at least 13,000 marijuana plants following a raid in Barangay Langosig, Danao City on Saturday.

Police arrested Damian Cagang, 49, of Kalangawan, Asturias, for alleged violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The uprooted plants were torched at the site, Cebu police director Senior Superintendent Eric Noble said.