'Most wanted criminal' killed in Bulacan shootout

During an anti-drug operation, a man identified as the most wanted criminal in Bulacan province was killed in a shootout with the police, GMA News' John Consulta reported on "24 Oras."

A raid was conducted on a house of the suspect, Bienvenido Salonga, by the police in Barangay Gatbuca in the town of Calumpit after receiving a tip from a resident.

Salonga was killed in a shootout with the authorities.

"Pinapasuko namin sya but imbes na sumuko pinutukan kami. For self defense ng mga kasamahan namin, nagkaron ng hindi maganda at natamaan siya," said Calumpit Police chief Sr. Supt. Santos Mera. 

The activities observed at the house of Salonga were unusual, said Barangay chairman Rusty De Castro. 

"Dis oras ng gabi magugulat ka na lang may pumapasok na di mo kakilala. Kaya medyo kakaiba talaga," De Castro said.

By virtue of a search warrant, the police entered Salonga's house and recovered several grams of suspected shabu, one 9mm firearm and two bonnets.

"Yung nakuha naming bonnet at saka baril ipapacross matching namin sa PNP Crime Lab kasi maraming insidente dito na alleged din sa drugs din involved. Baka mamaya kung magkamatch to, e 'di masosolve natin ang problema sa Calumpit," Mera said. 

In another police operation in Bulacan, three members of a gun-for-hire group were killed by the police in another shootout.

The report said the suspects, who were not named as of posting time, were also allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol and one caliber .38 revolver. 

The Baliwag Police also arrested two suspects at a security checkpoint after they recovered from a car suspected shabu worth about P150,000. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News