Four drug suspects slain in Nueva Ecija

 By Ric Sapnu

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Three suspected drug traffickers were killed in alleged encounters with police officers in Nueva Ecija the past two days.

            Bernie Tan reportedly drew his gun after sensing that he was dealing with an undercover agent here in Barangay San Roque, dawn Monday.

           Police said they recovered from the suspect a handgun, two plastic sachets containing shabu and P500 marked money.

           On June 2, Benjamin dela Merced and Noelito Balmeyo were killed in the towns of Rizal and Gabaldon, respectively.

           The suspects reportedly opened fire at the undercover agents, triggering the encounters that led to their death.

Probers said they recovered handguns, several plastic sachets containing shabu and marked money from each of the suspects. 

           In San Leonardo, Reuben Aban, 36, was shot dead by anti-narcotics agents after he allegedly fired at them in a drug bust here in Barangay Castellano on Monday.

          Sachets of shabu, marked money and guns were allegedly recovered from the fatalities.