(FILE PHOTO MARCH 16, 2023) House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Photo from Martin Romualdez FB page
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday stressed that the investigation currently being conducted against police officials allegedly involved in an attempted cover-up of the 990 kilograms of shabu worth P6.7 billion seized in 2022 “must be swift and thorough.”
To recall, 49 officers of the Philippine National Police – Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG) were found to have committed criminal and administrative liabilities for the alleged cover-up and pilfering of 990 kilograms of shabu worth P6.7 billion in 2022.
“The investigation into these allegations must be swift and thorough. Let the axe fall where it must because police involvement in this alleged cover-up, especially anti-drug operatives, cannot and should not be tolerated,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He expressed disappointment over the involvement of members of the PNP-PDEG, who said were supposed to be “the very same people tasked to go after peddlers of illegal drugs,” urging PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to address the matter.
“It would also be ideal to hear the statement of PNP Chief Gen. Azurin on the matter. Let us wait for official announcements before jumping to conclusions,” the Speaker said.
Apart from this, Romualdez said that the PNP must reorganize the police force’s drug unit.
Meanwhile, A congressional probe has already been sought in the Senate regarding the matter, while the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs has called on police assets to come forward and shed light on the issue.
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