MANILA – A retired police general who was among those charged over the mishandling of the PHP6.7-billion drug haul in Manila in October 2022 has already left the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Monday.
In a press conference held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP concurrent spokesperson and Police Regional Office-Central Luzon chief (3) Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the officer left the Philippines on January 8, or before the issuance of the arrest warrant against him and 28 others for the violation of Section 92 (delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“May proseso tayo at bigyan ng pagkakataon ‘yung proseso na tumakbo at lahat naman ito ay mga dating miyembro ng PNP (We have a process and let’s give the process a chance to run its course. All of them are former PNP members). They know the process and we expect that they understand it and we have to respect the process and court’s jurisdiction,” Fajardo said.
The officers were also charged for violation of Section 29 of the drug law or planting of evidence.
Fajardo said nine of the accused — four active police personnel, three retired, one resigned and one dismissed — are still at large. She said prosecutors are expected to seek the issuance of a hold departure order against them.
“I talked to Brig Gen. Nicolas Torre, CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) chief. They have not received any surrender feelers but they are exerting their very best efforts to account for these nine personnel, both active and retired,” said Fajardo.
Manila Regional Trial Court Branches 175 and 44 issued warrants of arrest against the 29 active and former police officers in connection with the alleged planting of evidence and bungling of prosecution of arrested suspects during the anti-drug operation.
The PNP created Task Force 29 to go after the officers. (PNA)