Drug suspect hurt in shootout with cops

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected drug trafficker was wounded when he engaged police officers in a running gun battle along Quirino Avenue in Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City before noon yesterday.

Roland Cruz Adrales, 32, shot at police officers trailing him as he drove a black Mitsubishi sedan at around 11:45 a.m., said city police chief Senior Superintendent Ariel Andrade.

The lawmen cornered Adrales, who sustained gunshot wounds in various parts of his body. He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment. 

Police officers confiscated a 9mm pistol, a brick of marijuana, a sachet said to contain shabu and tablets of the anti-anxiety drug diazepam (Valium), Andrade said.

Adrales is the subject of arrest warrants for carjacking and two counts of robbery in band, Andrade added.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to crack down on crime by any means necessary. At least 14 drug suspects were killed in alleged shootouts with police nationwide in the past week.