‘Narco’ cop slain in Cebu shootout

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade was killed in an alleged shootout with his colleagues in Cebu on Sunday.

Senior Inspector Raymund Hortezuela of the Negros Oriental police resisted arrest after he was caught selling shabu worth P2,000 to a police officer who posed as a buyer in Barangay Tipolo at around 7 p.m, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, Central Visayas police director, said yesterday.

 Hortezuela, said to be an associate of slain drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, was under surveillance by the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for almost a year.

Sinas said 75 sachets of shabu, marked money, a caliber .45 pistol and a 9mm were recovered from Hortezuela’s car.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) head, said Hortezuela was in Cebu reportedly to attend a court hearing.

“When he was assigned at the Guadalupe police station in Mandaue, he was reported to have recycled recovered shabu,” Caramat said.

Hortezuela’s father Wilfredo denied allegations that his son was involved in illegal drugs. He said the police should have just arrested and filed charges against Hortezuela if he had violated any law.

3 suspects killed

In Cavite, Ruel Paa, 24, reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay Pasong Camachile 11, General Trias, Cavite at around 4:52 a.m. yesterday.

Ronnel Ramirez fired at police officers in a drug bust in Barangay San Salvador, Lipa, Batangas on Sunday, police said.

In Laguna, an unidentified man accused of robbing Marivic Belonio reportedly fired at responding police officers in Barangay Nueva, San Pedro, Laguna also on Sunday.

Police recovered the guns allegedly used by the suspects. – Christell Fatima Tudtud, Camille Pateres, Raffy Cabrisante/The Freeman, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ed Amoroso