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4 arrested drug suspects linked to gunmen involved in Bulacan barangay hall shooting

Philippines | Metro Manila

4 arrested drug suspects linked to gunmen involved in Bulacan barangay hall shooting

By Freddie Velez

Two men who died in a shooting incident in the City of Meycauayan, Bulacan on Saturday evening, Jan. 20, were cohorts of the four suspects recently arrested for illegal drug trade, police said.

Based on the reports submitted to Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan police director, the two gunmen who were killed in the shootout with authorities were companions of four individuals who were arrested for illegal drugs last Friday, Jan. 19, at the Richmond Village in Barangay Pare in the city.

SOCO proccess the crime scene.jpg — Scene of the Crime Officer (SOCO) Cpt. Sherwin S. Rumero processes the scene of a shooting incident in Barangay Bahay Pare, City of Mecauayan last Saturday, January 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Bulacan PPO)

The anti-illegal drug operation was carried out by the village watchmen (tanod) of Bahay Pare.

An updated report of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) stated that the Meycauayan City police led by Cpt. Jocel R. Calvario responded to a call from a concerned citizen of Barangay Bahay Pare regarding the ongoing indiscriminate firing in the village.

Upon arrival at the scene, the responding team spotted the two suspects who were both armed with short firearms and continuously firing indiscriminately towards the barangay hall.

Reportedly, the suspects immediately fired at the operatives when they noticed them, which led to a shootout.

One of the slain suspects was identified as Jerome Almorasa Ballares, 30, of Caloocan City. The identity of his cohort is still being determined as of this writing.

During the incident, two individuals -- Rodolfo Santiago, a barangay tanod , and Marvin James Belanda Rivera -- were wounded and brought to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

Santiago died while being treated.

Authorities recovered from the suspects two .45-caliber pistols and four of magazines.

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