A uniformed policeman tagged as dealer and protector of illegal drugs was killed after he challenged his colleagues in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in Infanta, Quezon while seven other drug suspects were arrested in separate police operations in Cavite and Bacolod City Thursday.
The slain police officer was identified as PO2 Ian Rey Abitona, assigned at the Infanta Municipal Police Station.
The killing of Abitona came after joint personnel from the Crime Intelligence Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Quezon police operatives conducted a buy-bust against the policeman tagged as involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in Infanta.
Reports said Abitona was sporting a light blue t-shirt with “Pulis” marking when meeting a prospective buyer of illegal drugs, not knowing he was dealing with a narco operative as poseur buyer.
Investigations said the police officer sensed he was transacting with a police agent that prompted him to draw his issued firearm and fired towards the operating elements, sparking an ensued shootout killing Abitona on the spot.
Authorities said the operation stemmed from several complaints via text messages the CITF had been receiving, alleging that Abitona was a protector and dealer of shabu in Infanta, Quezon.
The police officer was also reportedly using his civilian assets in recycling illegal drugs and apparently a suspect in killing some of his asset/runner for failing to remit proceeds in the illegal drug business.
A validation through intelligence records from the Quezon police provincial office revealed that the police officer was involved in illegal drugs and included in the province watchlist.
Abitona was earlier relieved from his post as intelligence and operative of the Drug Enforcement Unit and reassigned as Desk Officer of Infanta MPS.
However, despite his present position, Abitona was still monitored to be involved in illegal drugs.
In Cavite, three drug suspects, including a tanod were arrested by authorities in another buy-bust operation in brgy Anuling Lejos 2, Mendez town.
The suspects were identified as Romeo Fortes, brgy Tanod, Bernie Delgado and Aries Dagillo. Recovered from them were 3 pieces of plastic sachet with shabu, drug paraphernalia, 3 pieces aluminum foil and P250,00 buy bust money.
In Bacolod City, four drug suspects were also arrested in similar drug bust operations in Brgy Singcang Airport.
The arrested suspects were Pastor Palo, Renante Sonalan, Jesus Paurillo and Jesus
Rodriguez. Recovered from them were 4 sachet of suspected shabu, 17 pieces of big heated plastic sachets of shabu, P2,000.00 drug bust money.
The operatives also confiscated 885 grams of illegal drugs worth P1,020,000.