PNP backs Senate probe into potential cover-up by its execs in drug case

Facade of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. Image from pnp.gov.ph website

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has welcomed the proposed Senate investigation into the alleged attempt to “cover up” the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo, who yielded P6.7-billion worth of shabu in October 2022.

“This is a welcome development to once and for all clear all issues related to the biggest drug accomplishment we had last year,” the PNP said in a statement issued Wednesday.

On April 11, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. filed Resolution No. 564, which urges the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an inquiry into the alleged involvement of PNP’s high-ranking officials in the massive drug haul.

Revilla’s move came after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed the names of 10 police officers involved in the case as seen in a series of CCTV footage.

Following the proposed senate probe, PNP reiterated that “it has long been firm and aggressive in its campaign against illegal drugs in the country.”

“To attest to this, a case for violation of Republic Act 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) is currently pending in court for Mayo and his cohort’s prosecution,” the police force said.

The PNP also assured the public of its commitment to “religiously doing its job,” citing that it noted a 15 percent decrease in focus crimes from January 1 to April 8 compared to the same period last year.

“To add, for the same period, our campaign against illegal drugs is continuously gaining grounds by the conduct of 14,122 anti-illegal drug operations nationwide resulting in the arrest of 18,927 drug personalities and confiscation of 5.4 Billion worth of illegal drugs,” it said.

“This incident, although it has created challenges, does not reflect on the whole situation within the organization. And we will never and will not allow irregularities and unclear issues to linger that create doubts on the integrity of the officers and men of the PNP,” it added.

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JPV/abc