Senate panel lifts contempt order vs 6 cops in Manila drug bust
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday, May 30, lifted the contempt order against six policemen who were linked to the P6.7-billion worth of shabu seized during an anti-drug operations in Manila last year.
It was Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada who made the motion, and was seconded by Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., at the continuation of the Senate panel's probe into the P6.7-billion drug bust in Manila last year.
The policemen who are set to be released from Senate custody are PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) Special Operations Unit team head Captain Jonathan Sosongco and his subordinates, Police Master Sergeant Carlo Bayeta, Patrolman Rommar Bugarin, Patrolman Hustin Peter Gular, Patrolman Hassan Kalaw, and Patrolman Dennis Carolino.
The panel earlier cited Sosongco in contempt for failing to give the panel, headed by Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa the phone number of the supposed informant in the Manila drug bust.
Estrada also made a motion to transfer P/SSgt. Jerrywin Rebosora and P/Master Sgt Lorenzo Catarata from PNP Custodial Center to the Senate's custody.
Both Reborosa and Catarata were allegedly involved in stealing the 42 kilograms of shabu from the illegal drugs that were seized from Mayo.
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa, head of the Senate panel, warned critics or would-be ambushers that he uses a bulletproof vehicle.
"I can face you anywhere,’’ dela Rosa said issuing the challenge at the end of the hearing. (With reports from Mario Casayuran)