The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday the arrest of another active police officer allegedly involved in the "staged" seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in 2022.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that eight individuals remain at large in connection with the questionable anti-drug operation.

Fajardo identified Police Staff Sergeant Arnold Tibay as the latest suspect apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on 31 January.

With Tibay’s arrest, the total number of active and former police officers detained in relation to the drug haul has reached 21. In January, the PNP announced the arrest of 10 police personnel, including eight on active duty and two who had retired.

Fajardo emphasized that operations to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing.

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

The PNP earlier revealed that around 30 police officers are facing charges for offenses such as planting evidence, delaying, and mishandling drug case prosecutions since 2016. Of these, 29 have been issued arrest warrants for violations, including planting evidence and delaying prosecution of drug cases.

Fajardo noted that another arrest warrant will soon be issued against the suspects for the misappropriation of illegal drugs seized during the operation. The case stems from irregularities uncovered in an anti-drug operation targeting dismissed policeman Rodolfo B. Mayo Jr. in Tondo, Manila, on 22 October 2022.

Call for fugitive ex-PNP official to surrender

Fajardo also called on former PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief PBGen. Narciso Domingo to surrender after he posted a 16-minute video on social media from an undisclosed location. In the video, Domingo claimed that corrupt police officials manipulating government authorities were behind the charges filed against him.

As a former police officer and a senior officer as that, we expect Gen. Domingo to respect the rule of law. They were given the chance to answer these complaints before these were filed," Fajardo said.

She explained that Domingo faces charges similar to those of Sgt. Mayo, including violations under Section 92 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for mishandling drug case prosecutions.

Domingo previously supervised an intelligence-driven operation that led to the seizure of 990 kilograms of shabu and the arrest of Mayo.