Ex-cop dies in Quezon City buy-bust operation

December 9, 2019

A policeman who went AWOL, or absent without leave, died in an encounter with the Philippine National Police- Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) during a buy-bust operation in Quezon City early Monday morning.

In a report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO),  they identified the suspect as Tirso Agustin Lactaotao, 48 and a member of PNP after he went AWOL

The operation called “Coplan Lactaw” was conducted around 12: 25 am at Barangay Nova Proper, Novaliches, Quezon City.

The encounter transpired after Lactaota sensed he was dealing with a PNP poseur buyer.

“(He) suddenly drew his gun and fired towards the operatives, prompting the operatives to fire back hitting the suspect on the different parts of his body,” the report said.

The operation was the initial result of their intelligence work on the involvement of the suspect and other personnel in recycling illegal drug. 

According to intelligence reports, the suspect had long been involved in illegal drug pushing. He was allegedly operating in Rizal province and nearby areas like NCR and Central Luzon. 

Lactaotao was rushed to the Novaliches Distict Hospital by the IMEG operatives but was declared dead on arrival by a physician.

They were able to recover seven sachets of shabu, his PNP ID, his pistol and some personal belongings.

The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit for further investigation. Ella Dionisio/DMS