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, following a Supreme Court resolution from 2021.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 22 of the accused, who are still on active duty, have been placed under restrictive custody. PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo to establish a special Task Force to expedite the arrest of all involved parties. Marbil emphasized that administrative actions will be pursued alongside criminal charges to ensure accountability and potential dismissal of the implicated officers.
Marbil stated, ‘There will be no mercy for wrongdoings by our personnel. Our decisive action reflects our commitment to rooting out corruption and preserving 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 support 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 drug case prosecutions.
Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. had previously disclosed that video evidence from the Tondo district operation showed senior police officials present during the arrest of dismissed M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and nine others. Abalos noted that some officers removed 42 kg of shabu before the inventory of the 990 kg of seized drugs, though the stolen drugs were later recovered.