B’gay chief, 4 others slain in Pampanga shootout

CAMP OLIVAS – A barangay chairman and four others were killed in an alleged encounter with policemen in Arayat town in Pampanga yesterday.

Melvin Guevarra, chairman of Barangay Cupang and stepson of Arayat Mayor Bon Alejandrino; Aldrin Luriz, Fermin Bato and Jack Pineda were declared dead on arrival at the Lacquios District Hospital.

Police Officer 3 Raffy Tacdian of the Special Weapons and Action Team was wounded and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said police operatives were serving a search warrant issued by Gapan Regional Trial Court Judge Celso Baguio against Guevarra for illegal possession of firearms at around 2 a.m. when they were fired at.

Aquino said two Armalite rifles, two caliber .45 pistols, a caliber .38 revolver and ammunition were recovered from the fatalities.

He said the fatalities were also involved in illegal drugs and contract killings, among other illegal activities. Drug suspect killed, 26 nabbed

Meanwhile, two men on a motorcycle shot dead jeepney driver Darwin Atienza at a terminal in Barangay Sampaloc IV in Dasmariñas City, Cavite at around 9 p.m. on Friday.

Police said the victim was a known drug user in his barangay.

At least 26 others were arrested in operations across the country on Thursday and Friday.

Mangiging Pidan, alleged leader of a drug ring, and 10 of his cohorts were arrested in Barangay Dalengawen in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Police have launched a manhunt for the other suspects, whom witnesses said were carrying two bags of shabu when they fled.

Reinton Amor, Michael Tactaquin, Akmad Baulo, Reymark Ipili, Luis Tomas, Acmad Lacoto, Ritchie Salazar, Henry Salazar, Akmad Lacoto, Norodin Pasawiran and Cocoy Abat were collared in Parang, Maguindanao. Local officials said the suspects sold shabu in Barangays Making and Sarmiento.

Sheryl Intia, 27, and Joseph Lloren, 25, were collared in stings in Barangay Ubaliw in Polangui and Ronnie Benedicto, 27, in Lomacao in Guinobatan in Albay.

Diosdado Bartolata was nabbed in Barangay Duran in Balatan, Camarines Sur. Police said the suspects yielded 22 sachets of shabu.

In Cagayan de Oro City, police said 56 drug suspects have been arrested and P3 million worth of shabu seized since Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded was launched on March 1.