A namesake of Senator Joel Villanueva and another drug suspect were killed after battling authorities in separate buy-bust operations in Caloocan City.
Police identified the fatalities as the namesake of the senator and Michael Veras, of Barangay 168 Deparo, this city. Villanueva is a former village watchman of Barangay 18.
Initial police investigation showed the incident stemmed from a buy-bust operation on Sunday before dawn by the Drug Enforcement Unit Barangay 18, targeting to capture Villanueva.
While dealing with undercover operatives, Villanueva sensed he was being set up, the authorities said. Villanueva immediately pulled out his firearm and fired at the policemen.
The police fired back until Villanueva fell and died, the report said. Found in the crime scene were a .45 caliber pistol, an empty cartridge and seven plastic sachets with suspected shabu.
Villanueva was said to have been removed from being a barangay tanod owing to his alleged drug activities. He was also among those who turned themselves in during the height of Oplan Tokhang. He was on parole for a murder charge.
Meanwhile, Veras was killed during an encounter outside his house. His unknown companion managed to elude arrest.
Police were able to recover the suspect’s .38 caliber pistol with three live ammunition. Also taken were three spent shells and three plastic sachets of suspected shabu.