By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
The alleged leader of a criminal group was killed while his two cohorts were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Malate, Manila Monday afternoon.
Police identified the fatality as Willy San Juan, and the arrested suspects as Rolando San Juan and Garry San Juan.
The suspects are alleged members of the Tupak Criminal Group or the San Juan Brothers group, that was tagged in a series of robberies and drug trade activities in the city of Manila.
Elements of the Manila Police District (MPD) Police Intelligence Operations Unit (DID-DPIOU), District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU), and District Field Unit (DFU) conducted the sting at Barangay 739 at Zone 80 in San Andres, Malate, Manila at around 3 p.m.
Investigation showed that a poseur buyer transacted a drug deal with the suspects.
San Juan reportedly noticed the approaching operatives and started firing shots at the police officers.
The lawmen retaliated and hit Willy in the different parts of his body. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival at about 4 p.m.
The arrested suspects are now under police custody pending the filing of charges against them.