Slain top drug suspect tagged in ambush

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The third most wanted drug personality in Cagayan, who was killed in an ambush on Monday, was a suspect in the ambush of four supporters of congressman-elect Ramon Nolasco in April.  


Probers are looking into politics aside from illegal drugs as the motive for the killing of Rodelyn Umoquit, Chief Inspector Christopher Danao, Buguey police chief, told The STAR.

Umoquit was driving his vehicle on his way home when he was waylaid.

Danao said Erwin Salvacion, Rocky Rapal, Rodrigo Battad and Joel Concordia, who survived the ambush, identified Umoquit as among those who opened fire at their vehicle after a campaign sortie.

Another drug suspect was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers during a sting in Cauayan City, Isabela on Monday.

Arvin Tamayao engaged police officers in a gunfight during a raid on a subdivision in Barangay Sillawit, said Superintendent Engelbert Soriano, Cauayan police chief.

        Soriano said five sachets of suspected shabu and a .22-caliber revolver were recovered from the suspect.