10 of 29 cops in mishandled P6.7-B drug case now in PNP custody

MANILA, Philippines — Ten of the 29 cops ordered arrested for their alleged involvement in the mishandled P6.7-billion drug case were already in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as of Thursday.

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Monday ordered their arrest for bungling the prosecution of individuals implicated in the October 2022 drug case.

READ: Court orders arrest of 29 cops involved in mishandling P6.7B shabu case

Nine were arrested and one surrendered as of 10:20 a.m. on Jan. 16, according to PNP’s data. Additionally, eight of them were active-duty personnel, while two had optionally retired.

The PNP said that among their ranks, four were patrolmen, one lieutenant colonel, one major, one captain, one lieutenant, one executive master sergeant, and one senior master sergeant.

10 of 29 cops in mishandled P6.7 B drug case now in PNP custody | INQToday

Two active-duty personnel and two retirees are now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), while two more active officers are in the custody of the Pasay City Police Station.

Meanwhile, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), and the intelligence units of both the Batangas and Laguna Police Provincial Offices each have one active officer in their custody.

READ: PNP forms task force to arrest cops in 2022 drug case cover-up

In response to the issuance of the warrant, the PNP on Tuesday formed a task force to “swiftly” apprehend the officers involved and vowed “no mercy” for wrongdoers.

“We will continue the efforts of the task force formed to account for and arrest these police officers, both active and optionally retired and dismissed, so we can ensure that we will submit them to the jurisdiction of the court,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a video message to reporters at Camp Crame on Thursday.

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