PNP: Another cop arrested over ‘staged’ drug haul

The Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed on Monday it has arrested another active police officer — one of 29 active and former officers ordered arrested by a Manila court for their alleged involvement in the “staged” seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in 2022.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo in a briefing revealed that eight individuals remain at large in connection with the controversial anti-drug operation.

Fajardo identified Police Staff Sergeant Arnold Tibay, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on 31 January, adding that a total of 21 active and former police officers have been arrested so far in connection with the 2022 drug haul.

Earlier in January, the PNP announced the arrest of 10 police personnel, eight of whom were on active duty, while the other two were optionally retired.

Fajardo said the arrest operation against the remaining police personnel will continue.

“We appeal to the remaining eight former and active PNP personnel to respect the rule of law. They will be given their day in court. It would be in their best interest to just surrender and face the music,” Fajardo said.

The PNP previously said about 30 police officers are facing charges after being implicated in planting evidence, delaying, and bungling the prosecution of drug cases since 2016.

Of these 30 individuals, 29 were issued arrest warrants for alleged violations, including planting evidence and delaying and bungling the prosecution of drug cases.

Fajardo said another arrest warrant will be issued against the suspects for misappropriation of illegal drugs seized in the operation.

The case stemmed from discovered irregularities in drug operations conducted against dismissed policeman Rodolfo B. Mayo Jr., in Tondo, Manila, on 22 October 2022.

Fajardo also called on former PNP Drug Enforcement Group chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo to surrender.

This comes after the now fugitive ex-police official posted a 16-minute video on his social media account from an undisclosed location, claiming that corrupt police officers manipulating government officials are behind the case against them.

“As a former police officer and a senior officer, we expect Gen. Domingo to respect the rule of law. They were given the chance to answer these complaints before they were filed. With respect to the question of why they have the same cases as Sgt. Mayo, remember there are three cases filed so far. The first is Section 92, or bungling in the prosecution of illegal drug cases,” Fajardo said.

Domingo previously supervised an intelligence-driven operation that resulted in the confiscation of 990 kilograms of shabu and the arrest of Mayo.