Abalos: Raps to be filed vs. cops in video of P6.7-B anti-drugs ops

Charges will be filed against police officers in connection with the video of the operation in Manila last year where P6.7 billion worth of shabu were seized, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said Thursday.

“In 10 days malalaman ninyo kung ilang mga pulis na kasama sa video ang fifile-an natin ng kaso (In 10 days, you will know how many police personnel in the video will face charges),” Abalos told reporters.

These include both criminal and administrative raps, according to Abalos.

The DILG chief said he has created a task force led by National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) vice chairperson Alberto Bernardo for this case.

Abalos is the chairperson of the NAPOLCOM.

In October 2022, now dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. was arrested as authorities confiscated some 990 kilograms of suspected shabu following a series of anti-drug operations in Manila .

On April 10 this year, Abalos presented to the media CCTV footage showing Mayo in handcuffs and then later released.

The video also showed police officials arriving and leaving the premises of an establishment where Mayo was.

Abalos said there was an attempt at a "massive cover-up" in the operation.

On April 15, 2023 , it was reported that a memorandum signed by PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) director Police Major General Eliseo Cruz showed that 49 police officers have criminal and administrative liability.

Most of the officials and personnel were from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.—LDF, GMA Integrated News