The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said arrest warrants have been issued against 29 active and former cops in the supposed mishandling of the P6.7 billion drug haul in Manila in October 2022.
PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil has formed a task force for the apprehension of the implicated individuals, the police organization said in a statement.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said a PNP-wide probe will be launched on drug hauls beginning 2016 after the order to file criminal charges against 30 cops linked to the controversial drug haul in 2022
A panel of prosecutors has filed charges against the cops, including two high ranking police generals, for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The cops’ supposed violations include the planting of evidence and the delay and bungling in the prosecution of the drug cases.
Of the 30 implicated personnel, the PNP said 22 remain active in service, two have retired, three have opted for early retirement, one has resigned, and two have been dismissed.
Marbil has already ordered to place under restrictive custody the 22 active police officers. Administrative cases will be pursued against them for possible dismissal.
“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,” Marbil said.
“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.
The case was centered on dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. who was nabbed as authorities confiscated some 990 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated value of over P6.7 billion during drug operations in Manila in 2022.
He served as an intelligence officer for the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, based on police records. He was dismissed on March 21, 2023 over three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
”The incident material to this criminal violation pertains to the bogus hot pursuit operation against Mayo where he was allegedly caught with two kilograms of shabu at Quezon Bridge,” the panel said in a resolution.
“As earlier discussed, this was merely concocted and staged with the intention of remedying the previous botched anti-drugs operation against Mayo, after realizing that he must not be set free,” it added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
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