Senators hold Mayo, boss in contempt over P6.7 billion shabu ‘cover-up’

DELA ROSA RESUMES PROBE ON P6.7B DRUG BUST: Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, presides over the third public inquiry into the P6.7-billion illegal drug bust in Manila City involving high-ranking Philippine National Police (PNP) officers Tuesday, May 23, 2023. According to Dela Rosa, the committee has found substantial basis to conclude that there was really an attempt to cover up the involvement of PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo in illegal drug operations. “For me, it is an attempted cover-up. It was not fully consummated by the fact that in the end, Mayo was also charged,” Dela Rosa pointed out. As for the involvement of other high-ranking officials of the national police, including former PNP Chief PGen. Rodolfo Azurin, Dela Rosa said: “It has yet to be seen.” (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines —  Senators held in contempt National Capital Region Drug Enforcement (DEG) officer-in-charge Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibañez and his subordinate, Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.

Mayo was allegedly involved in the P6.7 billion shabu drug haul ‘cover-up’ in October last year.

During the Senate committee hearing on public order and dangerous drugs with committees on trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship on the case,  Senator Raffy Tulfo suggested to Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to cite Ibañez for contempt for testifying that he was not aware of subordinate’s activities.

Earlier, Ibañez claimed he was innocent and had no knowledge of Mayo’s movements, which Tulfo doubted.

“Panong walang alam eh bato mo ito? Dalawa lang mamili ka ikaw ay bobo or tiwali? Bobo dahil di mo alam ang pinagagawa ng bata na nirekomenda mo sa PDEG (Philippine National Police) or alam mo na itong bata mo gumagawa ng kalokohan at kinukunsinti mo?” Tulfo grilled Ibañez

(How come you don’t know this is your subordinate? Choose. Are you stupid or corrupt? Stupid because you don’t know what the police officer you recommended to PDEG is doing, or do you already know that he is doing something wrong and you are just tolerating him?)

Ibañez denied knowledge, while Tulfo accused him of being untruthful and deserving of contempt. The senator emphasized that law enforcement officials can also be arrested for drug-related crimes, which Dela Rosa concurred.

“Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibañez is hereby cited in contempt before this committee. Sergeant-at-arms, maya niyo na kukunin. He stays here and afterwards, kulong niyo sa baba,” de la Rosa ordered.

(Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibañez is hereby cited in contempt before this committee. Sergeant-at-arms later, take him. He will stay here and detain him downstairs after the hearing.)

Earlier, Tulfo also questioned Ibañez’s subordinate, Mayo, on how he had reportedly accumulated P6.7 billion worth of shabu.

Mayo refused to answer and invoked his right against self-incrimination, leading Sen. Robin Padilla to suggest that he be held in contempt by the Senate, which dela Rosa approved.

READ:

Kneeling Dela Rosa to cops: Maawa kayo sa Pilipinas, speak up on P6.7-B shabu bust

Cop gets Dela Rosa’s wrath: ‘Babatuhin kita nitong microphone’

APL/abc