3 suspects slain in shootings

Two alleged members of a gun-for-hire group, a drug suspect and two other persons have been shot dead in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City, Batangas and Rizal.

Rizal Saidina Ismael, alias Tikboy, and Jeffrey Toylo Rebollos, alias Pungkol, refused to pull over and instead fired at police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay RG Macias, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte at about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.

Galvez said the checkpoint was put up after personnel of the Zamboanga del Norte police and Regional Mobile Battalion 9 received reports that contract killers were operating in the area.

A gun and two grenades were recovered from the fatalities, police said.

Water utility employee Erwin Agustin, 42, was walking in Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City yesterday when he was shot.

Agustin was declared dead on arrival in a hospital.

Chief Inspector Rolly Joaquino, Station 7 commander, said Agustin was on the drug watchlist and eluded arrest during a police operation on Sunday.

Tricycle driver Rogelio Dimaandal, 47, alias Ogie, was shot several times by unidentified men in Barangay Latag, Lipa, Batangas at around 8 p.m. on Sunday.

In Rizal, Jon-Jon Torres was sleeping at his house in Antipolo when a man entered and shot him at close range.