The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, Jan. 13, expressed confidence that it can secure the conviction of 30 former and incumbent police officers and men who have been charged in the allegedly “staged” anti-illegal drugs operation in Manila where P6.7 billion worth of shabu was seized in 2022.
“So, as far as the Department of Justice is concerned with the two cases that we recently filed, we are confident that we will be able to muster a conviction for all those charged,” said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon during a press briefing in Malacanang.
The DOJ filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) charges of violating Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly on the planting of evidence under Section 29 and the delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases under Section 92.
Charged were PLt.Gen. Benjamin D. Santos Jr., PBGen. Narciso D. Domingo, PCol. Julian T. Olonan, PLt.Col. Dhefry A. Punzalan, PLt. Jonathan G. Sosongco, PMSG Carlos C. Bayeta, Pat. Hustin Peter A. Guiar, Pat. Rommer I. Bugarin, Pat. Hassan O. Kalaw, Pat. Dennis L. Carolino, PCpl. Joshua Ivan Baltazar, Pat., Nathaniel Gomez, PLt. Ashrap T. Amerol, PSMS Jerrywin H. Rebosora, PSMS Marian E. Mananghaya, PMSG Lorenzo S. Catarata, PSSG Arnold D. Tibay PCol. Arnulfo G. Ibanez, PLt.Col Glenn Gonzalez, PMaj. Michael Angelo C. Salmingo, PLt. Randolph A. Pinon, Pat. Mario M. Atchuela, Pat. Windel C. De Ramos, PLt. Silverio P. Bulleser II, PCMS Emmanuele E. Docena, PMSG Alejandro F. Flores, PCpl. Jhan Roland L. Gelacio, Pat. James G. Osalvo, Pat. Darius R. Camacho, and former PMSG Rodolfo B. Mayo.
“We believe that the evidence is strong enough to warrant conviction because we have this new policy in the department now that we only make sure that the cases that are elevated in court are cases that will be able to stand the rigors of trial and eventual conviction,” Fadullon said.
He also said: "Hinihintay lang po natin na lumabas ‘yung mga kaukulang warrant galing sa husgado at ‘yan naman po ay ipapadala sa PNP (we are waiting for the court to issue the arrest warrants that will be sent to the PNP).”
“There is nothing which should preclude the department from amending the information that we have filed already or to file new charges as there are in fact other cases that may be filed against them,” Fadullon assured.
Thus, he said, “if we are convinced there is a need to include other personalities we will do so.”
The cases involved the alleged buy-bust operation against WPD Lending in Tondo, Manila that led to the arrest of Nely Saligumba Atadero and the seizure of 990 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu on Oct. 8, 2022 as well as the arrest of PMSG Rodolfo B. Mayo during a hot pursuit operation on Oct. 9, 2022 at the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila.
A DOJ panel of prosecutors that conducted the preliminary investigation of the case issued a Dec. 10 resolution that found that, based on closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footages and other pieces of evidence, the police operation was “staged.”.
Fadullon noted the charges have already been filed before the Manila RTC against Mayo and Atadero based on the “staged” anti-illegal drugs operations in 2022.
Because of the findings of the panel in its Dec. 10 resolution, Fadullon said the DOJ is considering withdrawing the initial charges that were filed before the RTC in 2022 against Mayo and Atadero.
"After reviewing the evidence that were presented which resulted in the filing of the cases for bungling and planting of evidence, we believe and we are seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing these cases because it would now appear that these cases were filed based on false allegations and fallacious evidence,.”