In a significant development, a Manila court has issued arrest warrants for 29 police officers, both active and retired, linked to the mishandling of a PHP6.7 billion drug seizure in October 2022. Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 44 Judge Gwyn Calina set the bail at PHP200,000 per accused in an order dated January 14. The court also mandated the use of body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices during the execution of these warrants, in line with a 2021 Supreme Court resolution.
Of the accused, 22 who are still serving have been placed under restrictive custody, as confirmed by the Philippine National Police (PNP). PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo to establish a special Task Force aimed at the rapid arrest of all involved parties. Marbil emphasized that administrative actions will run parallel to criminal proceedings to ensure accountability, potentially leading to dismissal and other severe penalties for the officers involved.
Marbil stressed the PNP’s zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct, stating, “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.” He further assured the public of justice and accountability for those who have damaged the PNP’s reputation.
The PNP chief called on the public to back their efforts in purging corrupt elements and rebuilding trust in law enforcement. Among those charged are high-ranking officials Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., former deputy chief for operations, and Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, former director of the Drug Enforcement Unit. They are accused of planting evidence and causing delays and mishandling in the drug cases.
Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. had previously disclosed that senior police officials were captured on video during the operation in Tondo district, which resulted in the arrest of dismissed M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and nine others. Abalos noted that some officers had removed 42 kg of shabu before the inventory of the 990 kg of seized drugs, as seen on security footage. The stolen drugs were eventually recovered.