The alleged police protector of drug lord Jeffrey Diaz “Jaguar” was killed in a buy-bust operation at P. Basubas St. Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City past 7 p.m. on Sunday (June 10).
Senior Insp. Raymond G. Hortezuela, who was assigned in Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO), sustained gunshot wounds in the body that caused his immediate death.
The buy-bust operation was conducted by the Counter-Intelligence Task Force Special Group Visayas, Mandaue City Drug Enforcement Unit and Police Regional Intelligence Division (RID).
Chief Insp. Mercy Villaro, information officer of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said that the suspect resisted arrest and drew his firearm during the police operation.
This prompted the arresting officers to neutralize the suspect.
Villaro added that Hortezuela is one of the targets of of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) for his alleged drug trade involvement, particularly the allegation that he is the protector of the slain drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz.
He was formerly assigned in Guadalupe police station, Cebu City.
Among the items seized from the operation were 75 small sachets of suspected shabu and cash worth P68,830.