By Tara Yap
Iloilo City—Four died in an anti-drug operation in Manapla town, Negros Occidental province Monday.
A spot report from Police Regional Office (PRO-6) identified Alson Aguirre as one of the four casualties in the deadly buy-bust operation in Sta. Teresa village Monday morning. Aguirre and his companion allegedly fought police operatives and a firefight ensued.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) considered Aguirre as one of the leaders of the Divinagracia drug syndicate, one of the major drug groups in the province.
A native of Silay City, Aguirre is believed to have transferred to Manapla last year after escaping a buy-bust at his house where authorities recovered almost P500,000 worth of suspected shabu (crystal meth).
Authorities have yet to identify the three other male casualties but believe they are drug peddlers working for Aguirre.
Authorities also recovered from the crime scene an M16 rifle, a KG9 machine gun, a .45 caliber pistol, and several suspected shabu.