5 high-value targets killed in anti-drug ops
CAMP JULIAN OLIVAS, Pampanga — Five people listed by police as high-value targets in the ongoing war on drugs were killed in separate buy-bust operations in Bulacan and Laguna provinces since Sunday.
In Bulacan, Chief Superintendent Aaron N. Aquino, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) regional director (RD), identified the suspects killed in legitimate police operations as alias “Budoy” in Obando town, and an alias “Mumong” and Emarwin Pabico, alias “Ipa,” in Pandi.
A buy-bust operation by local police in Barangay Cacarong Bata in Pandi around 1 a.m. yesterday was meant to reel in Mumong but the suspect allegedly fired his gun at police, sparking a fierce gunbattle that ended in his death. Two hours earlier in the same barangay, Pabico died in a similar drug bust that turned awry.
In Obando, Budoy had just sold 1200 worth of “shabu” to an undercover agent on Kalye Banat, Barangay Panghulo, when he sensed police were closing in on him. Instead of surrendering, he allegedly pulled out his gun, forcing police to shoot him. Wounded, Budoy was taken to the nearest hospital but it was all too late.
Meanwhile in Laguna, Sr. Supt. Joel Pernito, Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said lawmen serving a search warrant at the premises of suspected drug pusher, Daniel E. Carandang, alias “Danny,” last Sunday were met by gunfire.
Police returned fire, engaging two gunmen around 3:30 a.m. until silence took over the house in Barangay P. Rizal, Bay, Laguna.
When police entered the house, the bodies of Carandang, 48, and his brother Bobby were sprawled on the floor.