Ex-PNP deputy chief for ops Santos denies involvement in alleged shabu case cover-up

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations Police Lieutenant General Benjamin Santos Jr. on Friday denied his involvement in alleged “cover-up” in connection with the P6.7 billion shabu case.

“I strongly deny any involvement in whatever impropriety or infraction of law or standard operating procedures if there are any in the alleged cover-up in the buy bust operation,” Santos said at a press conference.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier called on 10 police officers to take a leave to give way to the investigation on the alleged attempted cover-up in the series of operations that netted P6.7 billion worth of shabu in October last year.

Abalos launched a probe led by the National Police Commission into the illegal drug case of now-dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. involving 990 kilograms of confiscated shabu.

According to Abalos, Napolcom’s fact-finding panel was convened due to the supposed slow pace of the police investigation into Mayo’s case.

He said Napolcom's investigation showed that “there is indeed a massive attempt to cover-up the arrest of Mayo.”

Santos said he was "shocked" when Abalos included his name in the list of implicated cops over his "mere presence in a CCTV footage." He said there was a lack of due process for him to explain his side.

He said he would have informed Abalos that he went to the crime scene after the buy bust operation as instructed by PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

Santos also denied ordering anyone to embezzle 42 kilograms of the confiscated shabu and noted that he arrived at the scene after the supposed theft took place.

One of the cops named by Abalos, Police Brigadier General Narciso Domingo, who recently has been removed as PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief, earlier admitted lapses in police procedures.

But, Domingo said these were part of a tactical move to capture another group of drug suspects in Pasig, which was revealed by Mayo after his arrest in Manila.

Another alleged involved cop, PDEG Special Operations Unit in Region 4A chief Police Colonel Julian Olonan said they planned to use Mayo so they can get to another warehouse in Pasig.

According to Domingo, Azurin directed them to cancel the follow-operation in Pasig because Mayo might get killed.

Santos said he only ordered the police personnel to go after Mayo after he saw the latter’s ID in the vault at the crime scene as he denied any knowledge about the plan for a follow-up operation.

According to him, he was not informed that Mayo was already arrested when he was at the crime scene.

Meanwhile, Santos said he was confused with the call of Abalos for him to take a leave of absence because he had already been relieved from his post in February.

He said he is now in floating status and has no more influence.

"Actually, I'm a bit confused on the instruction na yun kasi I was the deputy PNP chief for operations and I was relieved already,” he said.

‘Open’ for investigation

The police official further said he is “open” to any investigation as regards his alleged involvement in the supposed cover-up.

“Opo…Actually, sa committee on public order (and dangerous drugs) ni Sen. Bato [dela Rosa], inimbitahan ako kahit wala na ako sa pwesto. Kasama ako sa listahan at pumunta ako,” Santos said in an interview over dzBB’s Super Radyo when asked if he would cooperate with the probe.

(Yes.. Actually, I was invited in the investigation of Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s committee even when I was already removed from my post. I attended it.)

“I’m open to any investigation,” he added.

Santos also said he already talked with Azurin and asked for his permission to face the media to air his side of the story.

“Unang-una nagpaalam tayo…na ako ay lalabas. Gusto ko lang mai-diretso 'yung totoo lang na nangyari at ano ang  aking participation, bakit ako nasa CCTV,” he said.

(I asked permission to face the public. I just want to air my side and  explain why I was included in the CCTV footage.)

“Sanay naman tayo sa mga ganiyang accusations. Ang sinasabi ko lang if they want to accuse me, idaan sa proseso. Mayroon tayong due process. Kailangan igalang ang rule of law,” Santos added.

(I am used to accusations but my point is, if they want to accuse me, then they should go through a process. We have due process. We need to respect the rule of law.)—Joviland Rita and Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News