Drug suspect shot dead, companion wounded

LAOAG CITY, June 1–Jonathan Bagamaspad, alleged ranked No. 6 in the police drug watchlist and native of Dingras, Ilocos Norte, was gunned down while his companion Mario Corpuz was critically wounded when gunmen riding in tandem ambushed their car yesterday afternoon along Airport Avenue in Brgy. Buttong here, police said.

Supt. Edwin Balles, city police chief, said the gunmen took advantage of the slow traffic flow during an afternoon rush hour, approached the car on the right side and repeatedly fired at the victims.

A report said Bagamaspad was rushed to the nearby Laoag City General Hospital where he expired at the Intensive Care Unit shortly before 8 o’clock this morning. He bore fatal gunshot wounds on the neck, abdomen and leg.

Corpuz, of Sarrat town, was still in critical condition due to two bullets embedded on his stomach.

A SOCO team found at the crime scene 17 empty shells of bullets for caliber .45 pistol.

Police said Bagamaspad was linked to two shooting incidents in the province in past years.(tsg w/ ga, mma report)