DOJ mulls dropping drug raps vs Mayo, Atadero over procedural lapses
The Department of Justice. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / 黑料社)
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is studying the possibility of withdrawing the drug cases filed against Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo and Ney Atadero in connection with the over P6 billion worth of shabu seized in Manila.
Atadero was arrested in a buy-bust operation on October 8, 2022, and seized over 900 kilos of shabu, while Mayo was arrested in a hot pursuit operation that ended at Quiapo Bridge, where policemen seized two kilos of shabu.
Upon inquest conducted by the Manila prosecutors, cases were filed before the Manila Court against Mayo and Atadero.
However, the arrests did not follow the required procedure under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, which is why a simulated arrest was conducted to cover the mistake.
“After reviewing the evidence that were presented which resulted to the filing of the cases for bungling and planting of evidence, we believe, and we are seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing these cases because it would now appear that these cases were filed based on false allegations and fallacious evidence,” Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said at a briefing in Malacañang.
READ: 30 cops face raps over mishandling of P6.7-B shabu bust
Fadullon was referring to the recently filed case by the National Prosecution Service (NPS) against 30 policemen for planting evidence and bungling prosecution against 30 police officers for the simulated arrests.
