2 drug peddlers slain in shootout

By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY --- Two suspected illegal drug pushers were killed in shootout with anti-narcotics operatives Monday night in Barangay Lidong, Sto Domingo town in Albay, a police report said on Tuesday. Killed were Joseph Briones of Barangay San Roque in this city and an unidentified companion, Police Senior Inspector Genevieve Oserin, Sto Domingo town police chief, said. Oserin said Briones and his companion were subject of a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Lidong at around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Upon noticing that they were transacting with undercover police operatives, the suspects immediately drew their .45 caliber pistols, prompting the policemen to strike back killing them instantly, Oserin said. Recovered from the suspect’s possession were five sachets of suspected marijuana and two sachets of suspected shabu. Oserin said Briones was in the PDEA illegal drug watch list.