Mayo considered as 'high-value' target inside BJMP —spox

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has tightened security in the prison cell of dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo, who was arrested in relation to the P6.7 billion drug haul.

Authorities, however, emphasized that there's no special treatment  for Mayo and that the tightening of security was to ensure his safety as he is considered a "high-value" target. 

"Naglagay ang warden natin ng cctv para ma monitor talaga ang kanyang security," said BJMP Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera in Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday. 

(The warden placed a CCTV to monitor the security.)

According to the BJMP, Mayo now only shares a prison cell with his co-accused, Ney Atadero, after previously having three other inmates with them.

"Ang high-value target ay may risk sa kanyang buhay o kaya siya ay ma injure kaya hindi natin hinahalo sa general population... We are preparing against worst scenario," explained Bustinera. 

(We want to secure him because of possible risks because he is considered a high-value target. We want to isolate him... We are preparing for the worst scenario.)

He adds, Mayo himself has mostly kept to himself since he was transferred to the BJMP facility in Taguig. 

"He displayed generally good behavior, mula po nung nadala sya dito hindi na rin po sya naglalabas ng  kanyang selda," said Bustinera.

(He has not gone out of his cell that much since he was transferred here.)

Mayo was arrested in October 2022 as authorities confiscated some 990 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated value of over P6.7 billion following a series of anti-drug operations in Manila.

Mayo served as an intelligence officer for the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, based on police records.

He was dismissed in March 21, 2023, over three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. —Vince G. Lopez/ GMA Integrated News