2 dead, 1 arrested in drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - Two men were killed and another was arrested after they shot it out with police officers during a drug bust in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

The two men were identified only as Kalugar, 25, and Dennis Burong Mata, 30, said District Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group head Chief Inspector Figueroa. 

The arrested suspect was identified as John Gonzales, 23, who was brought to Camp Karingal pending the filing of drug charges.

Figueroa said they staged a sting after receiving a tip about the activities of Gonzales – the second most wanted drug suspect in Quezon City – on Roces street at around 2 a.m.

He said an undercover police officer arranged to buy P20,000 worth of shabu from Gonzales, but during the transaction, Gonzales’ companions sensed the lawmen closing in, prompting them to draw their guns and shoot at the police officers.

An improvised shotgun with four cartridges, a fired shell, six sachets said to contain shabu, drug paraphernalia and P630 was recovered from Kalugar while Mata yielded a .38 caliber revolver without a serial number, loaded with two bullets, a misfired bullet and a fired shell.

Figueroa said the suspects were reportedly members of the Oyot Nuñez drug group.