Drug trafficking and the police

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AFTER a couple of years of investigation and thorough case buildup, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted 30 members of the Philippine National Police, including two generals, for making fake arrests and planting evidence during an alleged drug raid in October 2022.

The operation led to one of the largest drug hauls in the country, and tarnished the reputation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) because it confirmed what the people have known for a long time: that drugs-related corruption reaches up to the top leadership of the police.

It is commendable that we had then-Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and the latest CCTV or security video technology.  Secretary Abalos maximized the use of the security cameras and footage available to document shenanigans happening then in the police force.

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The DOJ has filed charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act No. 9165) against the officers before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 175.

‘Cameras don’t lie, and it was proven in this case where the police staged an “arrest” and tried to fool us all, but they forgot to tie the loose ends.’

On Oct. 8, 2022, the police raided the Wealth and Personal Development Lending Inc. (WPD Lending) where 990 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (“shabu”) worth P6.7 billion were seized.

Police Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) and Ney Atadero were arrested following a “hot pursuit” at Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila.

“CCTV footage presented by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) revealed inconsistencies in the police narrative,” the DOJ said in a statement on Friday.

“The footage, also shown by former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. during a press conference, allegedly showed Mayo in handcuffs as early as Oct. 8, contradicting claims of his arrest the following day,” the DOJ added.

In April 2023, Secretary Abalos made public video footage of Mayo’s arrest by several officers, showing that instead of leaving immediately, the handcuffed Mayo and other officers entered a building multiple times, transferring bags and luggage to various vehicles.

Seen arriving and entering the establishment were high-ranking officials, including Police Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ibañez; Col. Michael Angelo Salmingo; Col. Julian Olonan; Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, a former chief of the DEG; and Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., former deputy chief for operations, the third-highest official in the PNP.

They were later seen in conversation before Olonan and Salmingo joined Mayo in a vehicle. Mayo’s handcuffs were removed before finally leaving the premises.

Police officers were also seen removing the handcuffs on Mayo in at least four instances before he entered the WPD Lending office on the day of the raid.

From the security camera footage, the PNP discovered that at least two DEG officers —Master Sgt. Lorenzo Catarata, Senior Master Sgt. Jerrywin Rebosora — took 42 kilos before the 990 kilos of shabu were inventoried.

The stolen shabu was recovered on Oct. 15, 2022, in an abandoned car parked along Boni Serrano Avenue in San Juan City near Camp Crame.

Cameras don’t lie, and it was proven in this case where the police staged an “arrest” and tried to fool us all, but they forgot to tie the loose ends.

The DOJ and other government agencies should pursue this case to serve justice for the people.

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