2 notorious drug dealers killed, 21 others nabbed in Bulacan

Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director, said on Wednesday that live-in partners Froilan Orillosa and Leah Lucas were killed during the joint drug operations of the Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Pulilan police in Barangay Lumbac, Pulilan town.

Cajipe said the two were responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in this province and adjacent provinces and were both included in the Philippine National Police-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PNP-PDEA) unified watch list.

He said based on the report after the consummated drug deal, Orillosa attempted to flee on board his white Honda CRV with Plate No. XMT-642, together with Lucas, after sensing they were about to be arrested by the operatives.

"A firefight ensued during the hot pursuit operation. The suspects stopped in front of a 'pasalubong' center in Barangay Paltao, Pulilan. Orillosa ran in a nearby alley and engaged in an armed encounter with the pursuing operatives that resulted to his death while his live-in partner was inside the vehicle and was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead,” Cajipe said.

Recovered in the operation were nine small and six medium-sized heat-sealed sachets of shabu; one 9-mm caliber pistol, the white Honda CRV, assorted identification cards; buy-bust money, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, Cajipe said the 21 other drug suspects were nabbed in separate anti-illegal drug operations in the cities of Malolos, San Jose Del Monte and Meycauayan and in the towns of Sta. Maria, Plaridel, Norzagaray, Baliwag and San Ildefonso.

He identified them as Maria Christina Laconsay, Zenaida Lansangan, Conrado Mojica, Ferdie Sabado, Ramil Palaruan, Ricardo Balite, Arvin Mabait, Mary Grace Cruz, Jomari Espenilla, Arvin Jazver David, Sherwin Bernabe, Rhia Galvez, Jecielito Carpio, Renor Roque, Jimie Bocton, Ronaldo Vidal, Crisalyn Abraham, Marvin Lebario, Dominic Uy, Joey Quitua, and Arnold Quijano.

Seized from the suspects were 52 heat-sealed sachets of shabu, two medium-sized sachets of dried marijuana leaves, two cut-opened sachets of shabu, one black Suzuki Raider motorcycle with plate number NC64904, buy-bust money, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The arrested suspects were brought to the police station in their respective areas while the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Crime Laboratory for examination. The suspects will be facing appropriate charges in court. (PNA)