Police officer killed in Infanta, Quezon drug bust

An active police officer of Infanta, Quezon was killed in a buy-bust operation in the town early Thursday morning.

Super Radyo dzBB's Benjie Liwanag identified in a report on Dobol B sa News TV the slain active policeman as Police Officer 2 (PO2) Ian Rey Abitona of the Infanta Police Office.

FLASH: PO2 Ian Rey Abitona na umano'y tulak ng iligal na droga, patay sa buy-bust operation ng PDEA at PNP-CITF sa Brgy. Pilaway, Infanta, Quezon kaninang 7:35 a.m. | via @JonathanAndal_ @Benjielite pic.twitter.com/XVfv0Gc0Cj

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 9, 2018

Abitona shot it out with elements of the Police Counter Intelligence Task Force at about 7:35 a.m.  He refused to surrender during the CITF's operation in Barangay Pilaway and engaged authorities in a firefight.

^{Photo courtesy: Counter Intelligence Task Force}

An initial police investigation showed that Abitona sensed he was transacting to a police poseur-buyer, drew his service firearm, and fired at the operatives.

A brief exchange of fire ensued resulting in his death.

The operation stemmed from several SMS complaints received by the CITF, alleging that  Abitona was a protector and dealer of shabu in Infanta.

He was also the suspect in killing some of his asset-runners whenever they failed to remit drug money collection.

Abitona was also on the the police drug watch list. He was relieved and transferred as desk officer of the Infanta Municipal Police Station. —may kasamang ulat ni Peewee Baucño/LBG, GMA News