FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — The PNP announced Wednesday that dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who was involved in the P6.7 billion “shabu” (crystal meth) bust last year, has been detained in Metro Manila District Jail since December 2022.
Mayo was briefly detained at PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, before being transferred to Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, according to PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo.
“He [Mayo] was transferred at the Metro Manila District Jail last December 9, 2022, pursuant to a Court Order,” Fajardo told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message.
Anti-drug agents arrested Mayo and Ney Saligumba Atadero in Tondo, Manila, in October 2022.
Authorities signed Mayo’s dismissal order on March 6, which took effect on March 21, per PNP records. He was discharged from service due to three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
On March 16, the seized narcotics were incinerated in Trece Martires City, Cavite province. After that, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. unveiled the names of 10 ranking police officers allegedly involved in the alleged shabu cover-up.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. defended the police force on April 17, saying there was no plan to cover up the arrest of Mayo and no attempt to delay the case investigation.