Many high-ranking cops involved in P6.7-B shabu case —Abalos

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday said more high-ranking police officers were involved in the illegal drug case of now-dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr.

“Hindi ako masaya. Sa mga ebidensiyang nakikita ko, maraming involved na pulis dito. Matataas ang posisyon. Sa mga susunod na araw, i-a-announce ko ito and heads will roll,” he said in a press conference.

(I am not happy. Based on the evidence I see, many police were involved in this. They are in high positions. In the next days, I will make an announcement and heads will roll.)

As the chairperson of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Abalos said he ordered his vice chair Alberto Bernando on March 27 to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into Mayo’s case.

Mayo, a member of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group, was arrested in October 2022 after authorities confiscated 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion during a series of anti-drug operations in Manila.

Abalos said he launched the investigation after he received only inconclusive information on the case from the concerned special task force of Napolcom during their three meetings on January 30, February 10, and February 15.

He said he is expecting that these high-ranking police officers involved in the drug case against Mayo will take a leave of absence or be suspended pending the results of the investigation.

Abalos said the involved cops will face charges.

According to him, the evidence that he received on the alleged involvement of these police officers are “disturbing.”

“Dapat kalusin na ang dapat kalusin dito. Dapat tanggalin na ang dapat tanggalin. Sasagasaan natin ito. Huwag kayong mag-alala," Abalos said.

(The police force should be cleansed. Those who should be removed will be removed. We will take action. Do not worry.)

“Inaantay ko ang report ng Special Task Force tungkol dito. Dahil nga malaking kaso ito, hindi puwedeng pabayaan. Hindi ako naniniwala na si Sgt Mayo lamang ang involved sa kasong ito. It is my personal opinion na maraming involved dito,” he added.

(I am waiting for the report of the Special Task Force regarding this. Because it is a big case, we cannot be complacent. I do not believe that it was only Sgt Mayo was involved in the case. It is my personal opinion that many others were involved.)

"Ginagarantiyahan namin dito na ang ebidensiyang ito ay magiging maayos, unbiased,” Abalos said.

(We guarantee that the evidence will be in order and unbiased.)

When asked if the courtesy resignations asked of police generals and colonels earlier this year will have a bearing in this case, Abalos replied, “It would affect. It’s a five-man committee. I’ll give them the data. It’s up for the five-man committee kung tatanggapin o hindi (if they will accept the resignation or not).”

On January 4, Abalos asked third-level officials of the PNP to submit their courtesy resignations, saying it was part of the administration’s efforts to cleanse the police force of officers involved in illegal drugs.

A five-man committee reviewed the courtesy resignations of senior officials of the PNP. —KG, GMA Integrated News