The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the arrest of 29 former and incumbent policemen for their alleged involvement in the “staged” anti-illegal drugs operation in Manila where P6.7 billion worth of shabu was seized in 2022.

Manila RTC Branch 44 Judge Gwyn P. Calina issued against the police officers who were charged with alleged delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases, which are violations under Section 91 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The court ordered the arrest of P/Lt. Gen. Benjamin D. Santos Jr., PBGen. Narciso D. Domingo, P/Col. Julian T. Olonan, P/Lt.Col. Dhefry A. Punzalan, P/Lt. Jonathan G. Sosongco, PMSG Carlos C. Bayeta, Pat. Hustin Peter A. Guiar, Pat. Rommer I. Bugarin, Pat. Hassan O. Kalaw, Pat. Dennis L. Carolino, P/Cpl. Joshua Ivan Baltazar, Pat. Nathaniel Gomez, PLt. Ashrap T. Amerol, PSMS Jerrywin H. Rebosora, PSMS Marian E. Mananghaya, PMSG Lorenzo S. Catarata, PSSG Arnold D. Tibay, P/Col. Arnulfo G. Ibanez, P/Lt.Col Glenn Gonzalez, P/Maj. Michael Angelo C. Salmingo, P/Lt. Randolph A. Pinon, Pat. Mario M. Atchuela, Pat. Windel C. de Ramos, P/Lt. Silverio P. Bulleser II, PCMS Emmanuele E. Docena, PMSG Alejandro F. Flores, P/Cpl. Jhan Roland L. Gelacio, Pat. James G. Osalvo and Pat. Darius R. Camacho.

The bail for their provisional liberty was set at P200,000 each by the court. The case was filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in court after releasing a resolution on the preliminary investigation conducted against the policemen.

It also charged them with planting of evidence, a violation under Section 29 of RA 9165, which is now pending before Manila RTC Branch 175.

The case involved the alleged buy-bust operation against WPD Lending in Tondo, Manila, that led to the arrest of Nely Saligumba Atadero and the seizure of 990 kilograms of suspected shabu on 8 October 2022, as well as the arrest of PMSG Rodolfo B. Mayo during a hot pursuit operation on 9 October 2022 at the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila.

In its resolution, the DoJ panel of prosecutors found that based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footages and other pieces of evidence, the police operation was “staged.”

It also noted that Mayo had been arrested earlier in Bambang in Tondo, Manila, for allegedly possessing two kilograms of shabu, while “Atadero can be seen in the still shots of the CCTV footage freely roaming around the vicinity of the WPD Lending office.”

“In fact, Mayo was arrested earlier in Bambang Street without any appropriate arrest, seizure and inventory of the seized articles in accordance with law,” the panel said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Marbil has ordered a task force to prompt the apprehension of all those implicated cops.

“There will be no mercy when it comes to wrongdoings committed by our personnel. This decisive action demonstrates our commitment to eradicating corruption and maintaining public trust in the PNP,” Marbil said.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo said 22 of the 30 implicated personnel remained active in service and while two cops have retired, three of them opted for early retirement, one has resigned, and two have already been dismissed.

Fajardo said active policemen concurrently face administrative cases.

“Ensuring they face appropriate sanctions, including dismissal, and are made to answer for their actions under the full extent of the law,” Fajardo said.