PNP forms task force to arrest cops in 2022 drug case cover-up
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a task force to swiftly arrest officers implicated in an alleged cover-up of a 2022 drug case.
The move comes following arrest warrants issued against 29 police officers for delays and mishandling in the prosecution of a drug case related to the confiscation of over 900 kilos of shabu (crystal meth) worth P6.7 billion in Manila in October 2022.
READ: Court orders arrest of 30 cops involved in mishandling P6.7B shabu case
“To expedite the process, Police Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo, chief of the directorial staff, has been instructed to form a dedicated Task Force to ensure the swift apprehension of all implicated individuals,” the PNP Public Information Office explained in a statement.
“Concurrently, administrative cases will be pursued to hold active personnel accountable, ensuring they face appropriate sanctions, including dismissal, and are made to answer for their actions under the full extent of the law,” it added.
While only 29 individuals were named in the arrest warrant, the National Prosecution Service filed cases last Friday for planting evidence, as well as delays and bungling in the prosecution of a drug case, against 30 police officers.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: 30 cops face raps over mishandling of P6.7-B shabu bust
Article continues after this advertisementThe PNP explained that of the implicated officers, 22 were active in service, three had opted for early retirement, two had already been dismissed, two were retired, and one had resigned.
In responding to Remulla’s comments last Monday, the PNP previously said there were 22 officers involved in the case who were still active in service.
PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo clarified this in a briefing via Zoom with reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday afternoon.
“Upon checking ng ating Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, 20 na lang yung active dahil yung dalawa ay na-drop from rolls noong April 2024,” Fajardo explained.
(Upon checking by our Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, only 20 are active because two were dropped from the rolls in April 2024.)
Data from the PNP Public Information Office showed that, among the 20 active personnel in the arrest warrant, there were the following officers:
- Patrolman – 7
- Police Master Sergeant – 3
- Police Lieutenant Colonel – 2
- Police Lieutenant – 2
- Police Corporal – 2
- Police Major – 1
- Police Chief Master Sergeant – 1
- Police Senior Master Sergeant – 1
- Police Staff Sergeant – 1
“There will be no mercy when it comes to wrongdoings committed by our personnel. This decisive action demonstrates our commitment to eradicating corruption and maintaining public trust in the PNP,” Marbil said in the statement.
“We assure the public that justice will be served. Those responsible for tarnishing the PNP’s reputation will be held accountable both criminally and administratively,” the police chief added.
READ: DILG’s Remulla sees conspiracy to conceal crimes within PNP
On Monday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed there was a “conspiracy” to conceal crimes among the ranks of the PNP, after discussing the alleged cover-up of the 2022 drug case in a Palace briefing.
READ: PNP rejects claim of ‘grand conspiracy’ to conceal crimes within ranks
The PNP denied the claim, saying that if there was such a scheme, it was not “institutionalized.”
