The PNP yesterday said 15 of the 29 policemen who were ordered arrested by a Manila court due to involvement in the irregular 2022 anti-illegal drug raid in Manila that resulted in the seizure of P6.7 billion worth of shabu are now in police custody.
In an ambush interview at Camp Crame, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said some 14 still at-large policemen have signified intention to surrender.
“There are 15 who are under custody. The others are still (at-large). We are in the process of taking them into custody, some have signified intention to surrender,” said Torre.
He said six of the 15 are under the custody of the CIDG, while the others are detained at other police units.
Torre said they have yet to account for retired Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr, former PNP deputy chief for operations, and retired Brig. Gen. Narcisco Domingo, former chief of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.
Asked if the PNP has already spoken to the two generals, Torre said: “Not yet but I believe they will come into their senses and will just surrender to the courts.”
Torre said the PNP wants to arrest the at-large suspects the soonest time possible.
“Our commitment is we have to get them as soon as possible, together with the other wanted persons,” he said.
On Thursday last week, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that 10 of the 29 policemen were already in police custody – nine were arrested, while the 10th surrendered.
The PNP has created a task force, which includes the CIDG as a key member, to ensure the swift apprehension of the 29 policemen, who were among the 30 cops charged by the Department of Justice for mishandling and planting of evidence during the 2022 drug operation that resulted in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion.
Of these cops, 20 are still in the active service while the 10 others have already retired, resigned or have been dismissed from the service.
