FORMER PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos surrendered yesterday to authorities in connection with the controversial 2022 anti-drug raid in Manila that led to the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Santos submitted himself to the PNP Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG) at 4:48 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Terminal Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City.
Fajardo said CIDG operatives served the arrest warrant issued by a Manila City court against Santos for bungling the prosecution of drug cases.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Santos was accosted shortly after arriving from Singapore.
“Retired General Santos sent surrender feelers last week…and requested for assistance to post bail,” said Torre.
“This morning, he arrived (from Singapore) and was met by PNP personnel at the airport,” said Torre.
CIDG personnel accompanied Santos, with his lawyer, to the Manila City court to post a bail of P200,000.
Torre said the court later issued a release order for Santos, adding the retired general is already a “free man.”
“After posting a P200,000 bail at 9:12 a.m. today (Tuesday, General Santos was released from the custody of CIDG under the release order issued by the court,” said Fajardo.
Santos and 28 other active and retired policemen were ordered arrested by a Manila court in connection with the October 2022 raid in Tondo, Manila.
Of the policemen ordered arrested, seven are still at large, including retired Brig. Gen. Narcisco Domingo, former director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.
Torre said operations are ongoing to locate Domingo and the other suspects.
“They already have HDO (hold departure orders) from the court so the immigration will block their exit if they attempt to leave the country,” said Torre.
