Drug war: 5 suspects slain in Bulacan stings

MALOLOS – There is still no reported fatality under the relaunched “Oplan Tokhang,” but the number of drug suspects killed in anti-drug operations conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) has increased.

Five persons, including a village official, were killed in stings in Bulacan yesterday, Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police director, said.

Henry Bina, alias Kosa, councilman of Barangay Sto. Niño, and Dennis Espadero shot it out with anti-drug op- eratives along the Sto. CristoMabolo diversion road and Barangay Barihan, respectively, in this city, police said.

Espadero was ranked second on the drug watchlist in this city, Superintendent Heryl Bruno, Malolos police chief, said.

In Guiguinto, an alias Barik allegedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents along MacArthur highway in Barangay Tabang at about 3:45 a.m.

Obet Hernandez and another person identified also as Obet reportedly fired at anti-drug operatives in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan and Purok 2, Pasong Intsik, San Rafael, respectively.

Police said five caliber .38 revolvers, shabu and marked money were recovered from the fatalities.

More than 50 persons were killed in alleged gunfights with policemen in 3,253 antidrug operations from Dec. 5, 2017 to Feb. 1 this year, according to the PNP.

Meanwhile, Juanito Cabagos, alias Kalbo, allegedly resisted arrest and shot police operatives serving a warrant for frustrated homicide at his residence in Sitio Lote, Barangay Dulong Bayan in San Jose del Monte.

A caliber .22 pistol was recovered from Cabagos, police said.