Cop in P6.7-B shabu case refuses to enter plea
FROM HERO TO SUSPECT Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. (right) was awarded by former PNP officer in charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. for “meritorious heroic acts” during a buy-bust operation in Valenzuela City in May. (FILE) PHOTO FROM PNP-PIO
MANILA, Philippines – Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo, one of the accused in the bungling of the prosecution and planting of evidence related to the P6.7-billion shabu seized in Manila, refused to enter his plea.
The police arrested Mayo in a hot pursuit operation that ended at the Quiapo Bridge where authorities seized over two kilos of shabu.
However, an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) showed that Mayo was arrested in Tondo, Manila, and was taken to the Wealth and Personal Development (WPD) lending office, where he is the owner. It was at the WPD office where the police found over 900 kilos of shabu.
READ: 30 cops face raps over mishandling of P6.7-B shabu bust
The police tried to cover up Mayo’s arrest in Tondo due to violations committed in observing the chain of command or the procedure to observe in illegal drug seizure.
Article continues after this advertisementMayo was included in the complaint filed by CIDG and Napolcom for bungling of prosecution in drug cases and planting of evidence.
Article continues after this advertisementIn the case before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 175, Mayo refused to enter a plea for planting of evidence due to a pending motion to quash the Information against him.
As a matter of procedure, the Manila Court entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
The arraignment was conducted via video conference.
The court set the pre-trial of the case on February 14.
