Cebu drug bust: Police senior inspector killed

Photo by CITF

More than a week after the controversial Bulacan police chief took the helm of the Philippine National Police (PNP) internal cleansing campaign, a senior inspector was killed in a buy-bust operation in Mandaue City, Cebu for allegedly resisting arrest.

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde said police shot dead Sr. Insp. Raymond Hortezuela, of the Negros Oriental Police, who allegedly fought back authorities during the operation around 7:50 p.m. Sunday at Barangay Tipolo.

The anti-illegal drugs operation was conducted by joint operatives of the Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Regional Special Operations Group 7, and Drug Enforcement Unit Mandaue City, according to Albayalde.

CITF chief Sr. Supt. Romeo Caramat said an undercover agent successfully bought P2,000-worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) from Hortezuela, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Hortezuela, however, resisted arrest and drew a pistol, prompting a shootout that wounded him in the process.

He was brought to the Mandaue District Hospital for treatment but was declared dead on arrival.

Caramat said Hortezuela was involved in illegal drug activities in Cebu City, and said to be one of the protectors of slain drug lord Jeffrey Diaz, also known as Jaguar.

The slain policeman was reportedly recycling recovered shabu when he was assigned at the Guadalupe Police Station, and served as the go-between for some remnants of the Jaguar group.

Hortezuela’s death is the first in all CITF operations since the unit was formed in February last year. It transpired more than a week after Caramat called on CITF authorities to defend themselves if rogue policemen resist arrest.

Albayalde named Caramat, whom he described as one of his trusted men, as the CITF chief last May.

READ: PNP names new CITF chief to lead internal cleansing campaign

Prior to becoming CITF commander, Caramat served as provincial director of the Bulacan police, which posted the highest number of deaths under the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.          /kga