By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday called one of its former ranking officials implicated in the mishandling of the PHP6.7-billion drug haul in Manila to surrender and face the charges against him.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo made the remark after former PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, who is now a fugitive, claimed that police scalawags manipulating government officials are behind the case against them.
Domingo posted a 16-minute video on his Facebook account from an undisclosed location as he urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to look into their case.
Domingo then supervised an intelligence-driven operation that led to the confiscation of 990 kg. of shabu in October 2022, which also saw the arrest of a rogue anti-narcotics officer, dismissed S/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
“As a former police officer and a senior officer as that, we expect si Gen. Domingo to respect the rule of law. Binigyan naman sila ng pagkakataon na sagutin itong mga reklamo sa kanila bago naisampa ito at (They were given the chance to answer these complaints before these were filed and) with respect to the question as to why they have the same cases with Sgt. Mayo, remember there are three cases filed so far. The first is Sec. 92 or bungling in the prosecution of illegal drug cases),” Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, referring to Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Domingo is among the eight police personnel being hunted by police over the case, Fajardo said.
“Like what I said earlier, we appeal to the remaining eight former and active PNP personnel to respect the rule of law and anyway, they will be given their day in court. It would be in their best interest to just surrender and face the music,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo also revealed that another police officer, Sgt. Arnold Tibay, was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Jan. 31.
It was former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos who revealed the names of police officers involved in the alleged attempt to cover up the case in April 2023.
Abalos said the cases filed against those involved in the PHP6.7-billion drug case were based on the findings of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
“What I told the public: res ipsa loquitur, the thing speaks for itself. The video speaks for itself. So, I called for an investigation. If they didn’t do anything wrong, that would have come out in the investigation. And if they had any wrongdoing, they will be held accountable,” Abalos said in a statement.
“If he says the findings are wrong, but that’s the conclusion reached by the DOJ, what else can we do? Due process was followed. All the accused will have their day in court. That is how our justice system works.”
Manila Regional Trial Court Branches 175 and 44 issued warrants of arrest against the 29 active and former police officers in connection with the alleged planting of evidence and bungling of prosecution of arrested suspects during the anti-drug operation. (PNA)