Car theft, drug suspects gunned down

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines — Car theft and drug suspects were killed in separate shootouts with police officers in Cavite, Quezon and Albay over the weekend, authorities said yesterday.

Christian Abudi died on the way to the hospital after he allegedly engaged in a shootout with responding policemen in Barangay San Rafael 4, Noveleta, Cavite yesterday at around 3:30 a.m.

Superintendent Peter Dionisio, regional director of Highway Patrol Group 4-A, said four alleged car thieves operating in the first district of Laguna were also killed in separate shootouts in San Pedro City and Antipolo City, last Monday.

In Quezon, a drug suspect who has yet to be identified was shot dead when he allegedly drew his gun on a police officer to whom he had sold methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in a sting Saturday in Barangay Barra, Lucena City.

Meanwhile, Salvador Guerrero, 38, was shot dead during a sting Saturday afternoon in Daraga, Albay.