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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solons slam PNP official's claim that Mayo could escape charges due to House probe

Solons slam PNP official's claim that Mayo could escape charges due to House probe

Published Apr 26, 2023 05:44 am
Antipolo City 2nd Rep. Romeo Acop and Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Screenshots from Zoom)





Congressmen took exception to the claim of Police Brigadier General Narciso Domingo that disgraced former police master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. could walk out of jail as a result of the House of Representatives' investigation on the Oct. 8, 2022 Manila drug bust. Domingo, the former director of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), made a presentation before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Wednesday, April 26 on the controversial police operation. "I am afraid [that] tha biggest drug haul so far of the government now pending in court will be dismissed and one morning we will wake up looking at Sergeant Mayo going out of jail because of this proceedings," Domingo said. This instantaneously drew a reaction from Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, himself a former police brigadier general. "Mr. Chair, may I object to this statement of the general na bacause of this proceedings sergeant Mayo will go free? No! It is because of what you did. Not us. I take exception to that statement and let it be of record," Acop said. Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the committee, echoed Acop's interjection. "The observation of Cong Acop is noted. And let me reiterate that it is not this committee if and ever cases will be dismissed against perosnalities involved in this [confiscation of] 990 kilo of 'shabu'. It is not this committee [that] was instrumental in the dismissal of such case," Barbers said. The dangerous drugs panel resumed on Wednesday its investigation in aid of legislation on the Manila drug operation. Mayo, who is one of the focal persons in the Manila drug bust where 990 kilos of shabu were seized, is an alleged "ninja cop". Ninja cops are police officers involved in the illegal drug trade, particularly on the recycling or reselling of seized drugs from a police operation. Mayo, who attending the hearing via Zoom, is jailed at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Responding to Acop and Barbers, Domingo said: "I am sorry your honors but my point is sergeant Mayo may use this proceeding in his defense in court and the court may subpoena this proceedings to prove that the timeline of events submitted to the court is different." During Wednesday's hearing, Col. Julian Olonan, PDEG Special Operations Unit (SOU) Region 4A chief, and Capt. Jonathan Sosongco, head of the PDEG SOU 4A team that supposedly arrested Mayo, gave varying timelines on the Oct. 8 operation. But Acop underscored that all details pertaining to timelines came from the police, not the congressmen. "Gusto ko lang sabihin kay Gen. Domingo na yung mga report niyo naman sa mga timelines e galing sa inyo e. Hindi naman nangggaling sa amin (I just want to tell Gen. Domingo that the report on timelines came from you. It doesn't come from us). So why put hte blame on us? Ang problema sa inyo (The problem with you is), you cannot take life," the Antipolo solon said. "You must remember that when you are a commander, yung (the) phrase na command responsibility is automatically attached to you. All the things that your men will do or will not do, you are responsible. That is the essence of command responsibility. "Kaya wag sumama ang loob mo. Kasama sa serbisyo ito (So don't gripe over it. This is all part of the service)," explained Acop. Acop finished his manifestation with some friendly advice for Domingo. "Ikaw nga wala pang kaso sa korte. E, ako umabot na hanggang sa Korte Suprema. Pulis ako nung nakasuhan, congessman na ko nung na-dismiss sa Korte Suprema. So magtiis ka (You don't even have a case in court yet. But mine even reached the Supreme Court. I was a policeman when I was charged, and I was a congressman when the Supreme Court dismissed it. So you have to endure)." The hearing is still ongoing as of this posting.

Related Tags

Robert Ace Barbers Romeo Acop Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
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