Cop involved in 990-kg shabu haul cited for contempt during Senate hearing

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday cited a policeman for contempt for failing to provide the phone number of his informant in the 990-kilogram shabu haul in Manila last year.

During the committee hearing, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) Special Operations Unit 4A arresting team head Captain Jonathan Sosongco to give him the number of his informant after other policemen involved in the operations denied receiving the tip on the 990 kilograms of shabu.

Sosongco said he no longer had the phone he used to communicate with the informant.

“Your honor, wala na po ‘yung cellphone ko na gamit po…’Yung cellphone na ginagamit sa trabaho hindi naman ito ang ginagamit. Wala na, your honor,” Sosongco said.

At this point, Dela Rosa asked Senator Robin Padilla to make a motion to cite Sosongco in contempt.

“Sobra na itong panloloko na ginagawa sa atin dito. Nauubos na ‘yung oras natin dito,” Dela Rosa said.

Padilla supported Dela Rosa’s call. With no objection, the motion was approved.

“Sobrang magsinungaling ‘to. Tinatawagan mo tapos wala kang number? Ano ba? Ganon ka na lang manloko sa committee na ito? Dalhin yan sa baba,” Dela Rosa said.

In October 2022, now-dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. was arrested after authorities confiscated shabu worth P6.7 billion following a series of anti-drug operations in Manila.

Mayo is an intelligence officer for the PDEG, based on police records.

Police officers allegedly pilfered around 42 kilos of shabu from the illegal drugs seized from Mayo.

Due to the alleged cover-up of the incident, criminal and administrative charges were recommended against 49 PNP officials and personnel. — DVM, GMA Integrated News