Ten cops in PHP6.7B drug case under restrictive custody

All active policemen involved in the PHP6.7 billion drug case from October 2022 are now under restrictive custody, with ten out of twenty-nine officers either surrendered or arrested by Thursday.

Ten accused officers, including a Police Lieutenant Colonel and former deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., as well as former Drug Enforcement Unit director Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, have been placed in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group with recommended bail set at PHP200,000 each.

The National Prosecution Service has filed cases against twenty-two active police officers for planting evidence and delay and bungling; however, seven others have retired or resigned since the case was initiated.

Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed that ranking officials were seen in video footage of the operation, leading to ongoing investigations and probes across the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office will go 'all out' in prosecuting the policemen to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice system.

The case centers on dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who was caught with two kilograms of shabu during a staged hot pursuit operation, leading to his dismissal for grave misconduct.