3 alleged drug pushers, a village councilor included, killed in Bulacan

Three individuals, including a barangay official, were killed in separate police operations in Malolos town in Bulacan on Wednesday.

At the Sto. Cristo - Mabolo Diversion Road area, Barangay Councilor Henry Viñas was killed during a buy bust operation when he allegedly fired shots at cops as they were about to arrest him.

Malolos Chief of Police Superintendent Heryl Bruno said Viñas sensed that he was transacting with cops so he took out his .38 caliber pistol.

The barangay official's accomplice, whose identity remains unknown, escaped onboard a motorcycle.

Another alleged drug pusher killed in Malolos, Bulacan yesterday. Chief of Police PSupt Heryl Bruno said alias Diego fired at his men during the buy bust operation. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/yB0hs0Gzlu

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) February 21, 2018

In Barangay Pinagbakahan, a buy bust operation immediately turned into an armed encounter when an alleged drug suspect known only as alias Diego fired shots at the police on Wednesday evening.

Bruno said "Diego" attempted to escape when they tried to arrest him. He fled towards the direction of Grand Royale Subdivision but was shot by pursuing cops.

Bruno said the buy-bust operation was conducted after observing "Diego" for two weeks. They noted the suspect consistently changed locations and phone numbers.

Cops recovered from him a .38 caliber pistol and 13 sachets of suspected shabu worth around P15,000.

Earlier in the same day, a third drug suspect, Dennis Espadero, was killed in a shootout in his home around 3:50 p.m. in Barangay Barihan.

After the police poseur buyer purchased a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500, the police moved to arrest Espadero. However, the suspect allegedly drew a caliber 38 and started firing shots at the arresting officers.

"He is the top two drug personality in their barangay," said Bruno. "He has been a headache for a long time."

The police were able to recover four sachets of suspected shabu and three sachets of suspected marijuana. — BAP/BM, GMA News