Former PNP chief Azurin involved: Remulla
THE Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of 29 policemen, including two generals, linked to alleged irregularities in a 2022 anti-illegal drug operation in Tondo, Manila that resulted in the seizure of over P6.7 billion worth of shabu.
In a two-page order, Judge Gwyn Calina ordered the arrest of the 29 policemen who have been charged with violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
“You are hereby commanded to arrest… (those who) have been charged before me with the offense of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and bring them forthwith before me to be dealt with according to law,” Calina said in her order.
Ordered arrested were Lt. Gen. Benjamin D. Santos Jr., Brig. Gen. Narciso D. Domingo, Col. Julian T. Olonan, Col. Arnulfo G. Ibañez, Lt. Col. Dhefry A. Punzalan, Lt. Col. Glenn C. Gonzalez, Maj. Michael Angelo C. Salmingo, Lt. Ashrap T. Amerol, Lt. Randolph A. Piñon, Lt. Silverio P. Bulleser II, Lt. Jonathan G. Sosongco, Chief M/Sgt. Emmanuele E. Docena, Sr. M/Sergeants Jerrywin H. Rebosora, Sr. M/Sgt. Marian E. Mananghayaan, Sr. M/Sgt. Lorenzo S. Catarata, M/Sgt. Alejandro F. Flores, M/Sgt. Carlos C. Bayeta, Staff Sgt. Arnold D. Tibay, Corp. Joshua Ivan Baltazar, Corp. Jhan Roland L. Gelacio, Patrolmen Hustin Peter A. Gular, Rommer I. Bugarin, Hassan O. Kalaw, Dennis L. Carolino, Nathaniel Gomez, Mario M. Atchuela, Windel C. De Ramos, James G. Osalvo and Darius R. Camacho.
Calina set bail at P200,000 each. In conducting the arrests, the court reminded law enforcers to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device.
“(This is) necessary to capture and record the relevant incidents in the execution of this warrant,” said Calina.
The PNP has created a task force to ensure the swift apprehension of the policemen.
‘AZURIN INVOLVED’
National Police Commission vice chairman Ricardo Bernabe III, citing the result of a NAPOLCOM investigation, said former PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin approved the release of M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo as part of the attempt to cover up the October 2022 drug case.
Bernabe said Mayo was initially arrested during the raid on a lending firm in Manila where 990 kilos of shabu were seized.
Interior Secretary and NAPOLCOM chairman Jonvic Remulla said: “After an exhaustive investigation, it seems that even Gen. Azurin, the chief PNP at that time, was involved.”
Remulla said former Philippine Drug Enforcement Group chief Wilkins Villanueva, upon learning of the release of Mayo, sent a text message to Azurin to ask why the PNP released Mayo.
“So that prompted Azurin to order the re-arrest of Mayo,” said Bernabe.
Officials later declared that Mayo was arrested in Quiapo for possession of two kilos of shabu.
“It was one cover-up after another cover-up after another cover-up. He (Azurin) was informed of the release and he ordered the re-arrest (of Mayo),” said Remulla.
Bernabe said Mayo was later made an arresting officer “to cover up the arrest or his involvement in the earlier buy-bust,” referring to an operation in Pasig City shortly after the raid at the lending firm.
“And per Gen. (Narcisco) Domingo (then chief of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group), that release was approved by General Azurin,” said Bernabe.
The NAPOLCOM report had been submitted to the DOJ. Officials earlier said the DOJ is still investigating the report to determine whether criminal charges will also be filed against Azurin.
Remulla said it may take one month for the DOJ to complete the investigation.
MARBIL ASSURANCE
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who ordered the creation of the task force, 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.
“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 added.
The National Prosecution Service (NPS) earlier filed charges against the police officers over alleged irregularities in the 2022 anti-illegal drug operation in Manila.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo initially reported that 22 of the 30 accused policemen were still in active service. Eight others, she had said, have retired, dismissed, or resigned.
Yesterday, Fajardo clarified that only 20 of the accused are still in the service – two lieutenant colonels, one major, two lieutenants, one chief master sergeant, one senior master sergeant, three master sergeants, one staff sergeant, two corporals, and seven patrolmen.
Fajardo said five of the 20 policemen are assigned with the National Capital Region Police Office, four in the Ilocos region, three each with the Mimaropa police regional office and the PNP Headquarters Support Service, two with the Calabarzon police regional office, and one each at the Central Visayas police regional office, Civil Security Group, and Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.
They had been placed under restrictive custody on orders of Marbil.
In a statement, PNP public information office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said the task force was created “to ensure the swift apprehension of all implicated individuals.”
Tuaño said the PNP will pursue administrative charges against the policemen still in active service on top of the charges filed against them in court.
“This initiative underscores the PNP’s unwavering commitment to its zero-tolerance policy against illegal activities while ensuring accountability, justice, and adherence to due process,” said Tuaño.
Fajardo said Marbil wants the policemen in active service to be dismissed “because of their involvement in this questionable operation.
“He said he is not going to be forgiving when it comes to wrongdoings of our policemen,” said Fajardo.
The PNP no longer has administrative jurisdiction against the others since they are no longer connected with the PNP.
