9 dead in Luzon drug busts

MANILA, Philippines — Nine people were killed in anti-drug operations in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Laguna in the past two days.

Reports reaching the office of Brig. Gen. Napoleon Coronel, Central Luzon police director, identified the slain suspects in Nueva Ecija as Jimboy Constantino, 26, a resident of Barangay MS Garcia, Mar Cardano of H. Concepcion and Jhon Jhon Mallari of Mayapyap Sur, all in Cabanatuan City; Michael Domingo, 33, of Abar First, San Jose City, and Rod de la Cruz of Palayan City.

In Pampanga, Richard Arequel, 29, was killed in an alleged shootout with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Cabetican, Bacolor.

Col. Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director, said Bryan Dabalos, Arvin Pariñas and Teodoro Melo drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangays San Antonio and Canlalay, both in Biñan City, and Sta. Monica in San Pablo City, respectively.

P5-M marijuana torched

Meanwhile, more than 28,000 fully grown marijuana plants and 1,000 marijuana seedlings were destroyed in Kalinga on Wednesday.

The marijuana plants were uprooted from 10 plantations in Barangay Butbut Proper, Tinglayan during a three-day police operation, which started on May 27.

Authorities said the cultivators of the plantations managed to escape.

 P2-M shabu

    In Zamboanga City, eight people were arrested and P2 million worth of shabu were recovered in drug stings on Wednesday.

 Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla said Rohel Samla, 31, an online seller, and student Merhana Almirante, 21, yielded shabu with an estimated street value of P1.7 million.

Quidilla said shabu valued at P350,000 were recovered from Sahipa Jimlah while P9,000 worth of illegal drugs were recovered from Mayvin Bugal Hatang, 32; Arshid Jimenez-Sali, 22; Marlon Mauri-Castro, 29; Allim Nur Omar, 24, and security guard Abdusaboor Sangogot, 40.

In Cotabato City, Michael and Faisal, both surnamed Mohammad; Silogan Patadon, Benjie Ulobalang and Sherad and Amer Abedin were arrested on Wednesday night for allegedly operating a drug den in Purok Talitay, Barangay Rosary.   –  Ed Amoroso, Non Alquitran, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Roel Pareño, Ric Sapnu, Artemio Dumlao, John Unson