Bato wants cops linked to P6.7-billion shabu removed from posts

Police officials who have been linked to the P6.7 billion worth of shabu seized in Manila late last year should be removed from their posts, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said on Tuesday.

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, also urged the filing of charges against the officers if there's already sufficient evidence against them.

“Hindi na dapat manatili. Dapat matanggal para di sila maka-impluwensya sa outcome ng investigation,”  said Dela Rosa, a former PNP Chief, in an interview over dzBB’s Super Radyo.

(They should not retain their positions. They should be removed to prevent them from influencing the results of the investigation.)

“At the same time, kung may ebidensya na tayo kasuhan na ang [dapat] kasuhan para hindi pamarisan,” he said.

(At the same time if we have the evidence then cases should be filed so others would not follow their wrongdoings.)

Dela Rosa made the remarks a day after Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos urged two police generals and several other police officers to go on leave after they figured in the fact-finding investigation on the multi-billion-peso drug haul.

Abalos also adverted to a cover-up attempt.

In October 2022, authorities confiscated 990 kilograms or P6.7 billion worth of drug paraphernalia in a series of buy-bust operations in Manila. It was considered the largest haul in the country.

Among those arrested in connection with the seized drugs was Police MSgt. Rodolfo Mayo. He has since been dismissed.

Philippine National Police - Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Police Brigadier General Narciso Domingo earlier said that he and nine other PNP officers will file for a leave of absence to give way to the investigation into the drug case.

Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, conducted a hearing on the drug case last month.

He confirmed the names Abalos mentioned floated during the legislative inquiry but said he decided to defer the next hearing as he awaited the results of Napolcom’s probe.

“In fairness, ang PDEG may mga napasamang landas dyan pero marami ang matino. We should respect the fact na may matitino dyan,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News