Chopper crash delays submission of narco cop probe results

MANILA, Philippines — The submission of the investigation’s results to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding police allegedly involved in illegal drugs has been delayed due to the helicopter crash last week.

Last month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) started validating and adjudicating the cases of 356 cops, including Lt. Gen. Jovie Espenido, on the drugs watchlist of President Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: PNP to start hearing cases of narco cops on Thursday — Gamboa

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday said that the agency was supposed to present the results before Interior Secretary Eduardo Año last Friday, but the helicopter carrying several high-ranking officials in San Pedro, Laguna province unfortunately crashed.

The presentation was supposed to be led by PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and PNP Director for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway. However, Magaway is currently in critical condition after sustaining injuries during the chopper crash.

“Because of the incident, probably, I will explain to the President na medyo ma-delay lang siya (the results will be slightly delayed),” Gamboa told reporters in a press conference in Camp Crame.

He added that the PNP will probably submit the results to the President “in less than two weeks,” but the agency will have to present the results to Año first.

Magaway, along with Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Ramos, PNP Director for Comptrollership, remain in critical condition and currently confined in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City.

However, Gamboa said that their conditions are “improving.”