Man slain in Bulacan drug raid

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines   â€“ A man was killed while two others were arrested in a shootout that followed a raid on a suspected drug den in San Jose Del Monte City on Maundy Thursday.

Jessie Antalan, 38, died at the scene while his companions Saidona Disaloy and Elena dela Cruz were arrested after the shootout, said Chief Inspector Reynaldo Magdaluyo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team.

 Magdaluyo said the raid came after Anthony Ariola, 23, an alleged fugitive, surrendered to officials of Barangay San Martin 4 and revealed the alleged pot sessions at the Decena compound.

Ariola, along with another inmate, Richard Orpiada, reportedly sought refuge at the house of Ricky Decena in Barangay San Martin 3 after they escaped from the Bataan jail. He told police he changed his mind about escaping and decided to surrender.

The raiding team said two Molotov bombs were thrown at them as they approached the Decena compound. The bombs were reportedly followed by gunfire, which triggered the shootout.

Police recovered from the crime scene a loaded caliber .38 revolver, bullets, a plastic sachet of shabu, P6,000 and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were brought to the Bulacan Crime Laboratory to undergo drug tests.