CAMP VICENTE LIM—Two illegal drug suspects were killed during two separate armed encounters in Laguna Sunday morning, an official said.
Cabuyao Police Chief Fernando Ortega told Laguna Police Chief Joel Pernito said the first encounter took place on Forteza Road in Barangay Pulo village in Cabuyao at 3:10 in the morning.
Pernito said police received a complaint against someone stealing a motorcycle who fired on them but was killed when the police returned fire.
In Dila village, Bay, a drug pusher was killed during an encounter with police during an anti-drug operation.
Meanwhile, a retired member of the Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday expressed support to the anti-drug crusades of President Rodrigo Duterte and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, saying “drastic measures” must be taken to address the illegal drug problem in the country.
Scott Gilliam, who is in Manila to train members of the Manila Police District to become instructors of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, said Duterte and Estrada’s efforts to rid the country of illegal drugs was commendable.
“You have to look at that point when things are terrible in the country,” Gilliam said.
“And sometimes drastic measures have to be taken to address drastic situation. You have to do something different.”
Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday assured Duterte that the House committee on dangerous drugs will hasten the passage of the measures that will bolster the ongoing war against illegal drugs.
“As chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs, I would like to guarantee the President that we at the committee rally behind his cause. We will fasttrack the passage of House bills that are timely,” he said.
“Now that we have identified local government officials and executives who are uncooperative, it’s time to take action.”