Two policemen earlier cited in contempt and ordered detained by the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs for ‘’fooling’’ its chairman, Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa, during its public hearing this week were turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, March 17.
During a DWIZ radio interview, Dela Rosa said he allowed the release from the Senate of the policemen for speedy resolution of the cases lodged against them.
The police duo - Senior Master Sgt. Jerwin Rebosora and Police Master Sgt. Lawrence Catarata were initially considered “heroes” in the confiscation of 996 kilos of "shabu" worth about P13.6 billion in Tondo, Manila in October last year.
Rebosora and Catarata were supposed to be among the resource persons in the arrest of Police Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who was allegedly found in possession of 996 kilos of shabu, various identification cards, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), and a service firearm
Video footage, however, showed the shabu seized from Mayo was allegedly pilfered by the two police officers.
“It’s a ton of illegal drugs that was confiscated. We thought you were the hero, Mayo was the villain. It turned out you stole 42 kilos. What do you call yourself? What’s that called? You are worse than…,” Dela Rosa said.
The senator said he visited the two policemen at the Senate security office Friday because they sent a message to him, claiming that they were just framed up.
He said he told the two policemen that the case should be resolved by the PNP Special Investigation Task Group (SITG)
’’Sabi ko sa SITG dapat iresolve kaso dig deeper (I told them the SITG should dig deeper into the case). CPNP bago retire dapat resolve na ito at makasuhan na dapat kasuhan (It should be resolved and those liable should be charged before the PNP chief retires),’’ he added.