CAMP JULIAN OLIVAS, PAMPANGA – Four alleged members of a notorious drug syndicate operating in Bulacan and nearby provinces were killed while four others were arrested after they engaged lawmen in a gunfight in Barangay Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan, Thursday night, police announced yesterday.
Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., acting director of Bulacan Police Provincial Office, identified the slain suspects as Michael Cervitillo Sumbillo, Reyan Quirante, a certain Allan, and one alias Epoy.
Arrested were Arrian Juaneza Caballes, 20; Mary Rose Umbahin Nabo, 19; Rofel Asuncion Sia, 20; Gallego Venegas, 41, most of whom are residents of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Caramat said Norzagaray police operatives led by Supt. Rizalino A. Andaya swooped down on an alleged drug den owned by Sumbillo in Barangay Bigte at about 10:15 p.m. after securing a search warrant from a court.
During the operation, Sumbillo’s group fired shots at the raiding team, prompting the lawmen to return fire, killing four of the suspects. The four other suspects were apprehended.
Caramat said the slain suspects were among the Top 10 drug priority targets of Bulacan police.
Police probers recovered from the suspects’ place a .38-caliber revolver, four improvised handgunds loaded with bullets, three improvised shotguns, a .38-caliber gun without serial number, four pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing about 20 grams of shabu worth P40,000, two plastics sachets containing marijuana, a weighing scale, and several drug paraphernalia drug.
Also found in the place were a piece of smoke grenade, a fan knife, a dagger, and two motorcycles, according to police.
Caramat said the arrested suspects will be charged with violation of the anti-drugs law and attempted homicide case before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutors in Bulacan.
