A suspected leader of a notorious criminal group was killed in an encounter in Santo Tomas, Isabela on Thursday, April 16.
Police identified the fatality as Nicolas Domingo Magsanoc.
According to the Police Regional Office-2, farmer Michael Melad was shot and wounded by the suspect in Purok 6, Barangay Calinaoan Sur, Delfin Albano, Isabela.
The suspect fled on a motorcycle but was later intercepted by police along with two companions in Barangay Barunbun.
A gunbattle erupted, during which Magsanoc—tagged as the leader of the dismantled Magsanoc Criminal Group and listed in the drugs watchlist—was killed.
His companions, one of whom was identified as a high-value target in the illegal drugs trade, were arrested.
A follow-up investigation is ongoing, and the arrested suspects are facing appropriate charges. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)
