MANILA – Twenty-two police officers still on active duty who were charged over the “grand conspiracy” in the October 2022 multi-billion drug bust in Manila have been placed under restrictive custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
Of the 30 accused of involvement in the seizure of PHP6.7 billion worth of shabu in Tondo district, two have retired, three availed of optional retirement, one resigned from the service, and two were dismissed.
“Before proceeding here at the press briefing, I asked the chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) on his guidance on the 22 active personnel. He has instructed his staff to place them under restrictive custody and disarm them. Just like in the case of an ordinary citizen, these police officers as respondents also have their rights to submit counter-evidence to prove their innocence. The DOJ (Department of Justice) also respects these rights,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told the media at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Suportado po natin ’yung ginawang investigation po na ito at kung ano man po ’yong mga lumabas sa findings ng ating Department of Justice, we respect po ang naging resulta po ng desisyon po (We support this investigation and whatever the findings of our Department of Justice, we would respect the results),” she added.
Fajardo said the PNP leadership remains firm in its stance against illegal activities involving law enforcement personnel.
“No chief PNP will allow this illegal scheme, whether in the previous or present administration. We have dismissed many personnel, regardless of rank, ” she added.
Included in the charges are Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., former deputy chief for operations, and Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, former Drug Enforcement Unit director.
Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. previously revealed that ranking police officials were seen in the video footage of the operation, which led to the arrest of dismissed M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and nine others.
Abalos said some police officers took 42 kg of shabu before the inventory of the confiscated 990 kg. of illegal drugs, based on security footage. The stolen shabu was later recovered.
For his part, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office will go “all out” in prosecuting the policemen “in a bid to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice system”.
In a press briefing by the Presidential Communications Office, Remulla reminded police officers about their crucial role as indispensable partners of the DOJ in upholding the rule of law.
“The alliance between prosecutors and policemen serve as one of the major foundations of our justice system since both are heavily dependent on each other in ensuring their respective mandates are achieved,” he said.
“Hence, we must not let a few misguided cops remain in service so as not to negatively influence the majority of our police force who are faithful to their sworn mandates,” Remulla added.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the case against the 30 police officers are substantive enough to warrant a conviction. (with a report from Benjamin Pulta/PNA)