Quezon cop in alleged illegal drug activities slain in buy-bust

LUCENA CITY – A policeman from Infanta town in Quezon province, who was allegedly involved in illegal drug activities, was killed in a buy-bust operation early Thursday, police said.

Senior Supt. Osmundo de Guzman, Quezon police director, said joint operatives from the Counter Intelligence Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Quezon police intelligence unit targeted Police Officer 2 Ian Rey Abitonia in a buy-bust operation in Barangay (village) Pilaway around 7:35 a.m.

During the transaction, Abitonia sensed that he was dealing with an undercover police and drew his service firearm and fired towards the operatives, De Guzman said in a report. The policemen retaliated and killed the suspect.

Concerned citizens tipped off the police about Abitonia, who was an alleged drug dealer and protector of drug pushers in the locality, according to the report.

Abitonia was assigned at the Infanta police station as a member of the intelligence and drug enforcement unit before he was relieved and transferred as desk officer of Infanta police station.

“He was still monitored of being involved in illegal drugs,” De Guzman said in the report. The suspect was then included in the drugs watch list after validation of information.

De Guzman said Abitonia was also suspected of using his civilian assets or informers in recycling seized drugs back into the street.

“He was also the suspect in killing some of his assets/runners whenever they failed to remit the required amount,” De Guzman said.