DISMAYED
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has expressed disappointment over reports of the alleged involvement of two police generals and other ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the attempted cover-up of irregularities in the seizure of some P6.7 billion worth of shabu in 2022.
In a statement, Romualdez said he was dismayed and saddened to learn that some of those accused of alleged involvement are members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the very same people tasked to go after peddlers of illegal drugs.
The House leader stressed that while an in-depth investigation to ascertain the truth is being undertaken, measures to reorganize the police force’s drug unit should be implemented.
At a press conference held last Monday, Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos named two police generals – Police Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos and Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, relieved chief of the PDEG – and other high-ranking police officers as allegedly involved in the cover-up of the arrest of one Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. over the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Tondo, Manila in October last year.
Since then, a congressional probe has been sought in the Senate on the allegations made by Abalos. In the House of Representatives, Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has called on police assets to come forward and shed light on the matter.
“The investigation into these allegations must be swift and thorough. Let the ax fall where it must because police involvement in this alleged cover-up, especially anti-drug operatives, cannot and should not be tolerated,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“It would also be ideal to hear the statement of PNP Chief Gen. Azurin on the matter. Let us wait for official announcements before jumping to conclusions,” the Speaker said.
The PNP chief has already announced, through the police spokesperson, that he will be addressing all questions on the incident within the next few days.
