Ten of the 29 policemen who were ordered arrested by a Manila court over the controversial P6.7 billion worth of shabu haul in 2022 were already accounted for, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday, Jan. 16.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said those currently under police custody are four cops with a rank of Patrolman, one Police Master Sergeant, one Police Executive Master Sergeant, one Police Lieutenant, one Police Captain, one Police Major and one Police Lieutenant Colonel.
Fajardo said they are still accounting for 12 other policemen in active duty status.
On the other hand, the seven others either retired or resigned from the police service.
Two of them are retired police generals, Benjamin delo Santos, who was then the PNP’s number three man; and Narciso Domingo, then head of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.
On Jan. 14, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 44 Judge Gwyn Calina issued an arrest warrant against 29 active and retired policemen in connection with the confiscation of 990 kilos of shabu in a facility owned by Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo, Jr.
The case stemmed from the allegations that ranking police officials tried to protect Mayo when the P6.7 billion worth of shabu was confiscated inside a lending company office in Manila in October 2022.
Mayo was collared in a buy-bust on the same day but the initial investigation revealed that there was an attempt to cover up the entire operation to protect him.
The incident was further established with the CCTV footage obtained by authorities.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier ordered the creation of a special task group to account for all those included in the arrest warrant.
Marbil said administrative cases will be concurrently pursued to hold active personnel accountable, ensuring they face appropriate sanctions, including dismissal, and are made to answer for their actions under the full extent of the law.
“There will be no mercy when it comes to wrongdoings committed by our personnel. This decisive action demonstrates our commitment to eradicating corruption and maintaining public trust in the PNP,” said Marbil.
“We assure the public that justice will be served. Those responsible for tarnishing the PNP’s reputation will be held accountable both criminally and administratively,” he added.