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Two cops in missing drugs probe cited for contempt, detained at Senate


Two officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been cited in contempt by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs for allegedly lying under oath about their involvement in a drug case.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Jerrywin Rebosora and Police Master Sergeant Lorenzo Catarata have been ordered detained at the Senate premises after Senator Raffy Tulfo and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa observed inconsistencies in their testimonies before the committee.

The two police officers were confronted with the findings of the Philippine National Police in its investigation into the missing 42 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride confiscated in an operation in October.

“Halatang nagsisinungaling ‘tong dalawa. Masarap ipa-contempt 'to e, para makatikim ng kalaboso 'tong dalawang to. Nagsisinungaling under oath,” Tulfo said.

(It's obvious that these two are lying. I want them cited in contempt so they'd be detained. They're lying under oath.)

Tulfo made a formal motion which was approved by the chairman Dela Rosa.

During the hearing, Director Eliseo Cruz of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management said the PNP had launched a high-level investigation into the unaccounted 42 kilograms of shabu.

The missing 42 kilos is believed to be part of the 990 kilograms of illegal drugs confiscated from Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr in October.

Cruz said a spliced CCTV footage showed officers loading bags onto a vehicle during the operations where the 990 kilos of shabu were seized.

From the full CCTV footage of the operations, Cruz said investigators identified Rebosora, Catarata, and another police officer, Roman Jimenez. Jimenez has resigned from his post.

The 42 kilograms of shabu were eventually recovered in front of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Building (PSMBFI) on Santolan Road outside Camp Crame, Cruz said.

The abandoned illegal drugs were brought to Camp Crame, he added.

After which, Cruz said the PNP launched a Special Investigation Task Group investigation.

Cruz said both policemen denied that they were the ones seen on the CCTV.

Both policemen reiterated their denial during the Senate hearing.

According to them, they were eating during that time at an eatery.

However, Tulfo observed that their testimonies during the hearing were inconsistent.

Tulfo had asked what their viand was but the answer he got was "coffee." —NB, GMA Integrated News

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