5 suspected drug dealers killed in Quiapo shootout

Anti-illegal drug operatives killed five suspected drug dealers during a shootout on Sunday morning in Quiapo, Manila.

The newly-installed Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said the encounter occurred at around 7 a.m. in a vacant lot along Duque de Alba St., Quiapo.

The identities of the slain suspects were not yet available as of press time.

A police report to Albayalde said elements of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, together with operatives of the Barbosa Police Station led by Chief Insp. Michael Garcia, were conducting follow-up operations in the area when the shootout occurred.

Albayalde said the team earlier received information regarding a group of armed men responsible in the transportation and shipment of illegal drugs, using a creek along Arlegui St. in going to and from Islamic Compound and vacant lot along Duque de Alba St., Quiapo.

In response to the information, the team immediately went to the area to conduct surveillance but before they could reach the place, they were fired upon by several armed men. This prompted the team to return fire, resulting in the killing of the five unidentified suspects.

Recovered from the encounter site were four unknown caliber pistols, more or less 200 grams of suspected shabu, black Rusi motorcycle with plate number ND 62486, red SYM motorcycle with plate number 9228 UP, three bicycles and a blue Susuki motorcycle with sidecar with plate number 6294 CQ. (PNA)