Abalos: Police probe on P6.7-B drug haul to continue

The investigation into the alleged police cover-up in the P6.7 billion shabu bust in Manila last year will continue even after criminal complaints have been filed against 50 police officers, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Wednesday.

“As far as we’re concerned, these types of investigations will always continue. Always,” Abalos said when asked in a CNN Philippines interview if there will be any more investigation on the possible involvement of other cops.

He issued the remark a day after announcing that complaints were filed against 12 commissioned officers, including Police Lieutenant General Benjamin Santos Jr., Police Brigadier General Narciso Domingo, and Police Colonel Julian Olonan, as well as 38 non-commissioned officers for their alleged involvement in the controversial 990-kilogram shabu haul.

Domingo earlier said he is ready to defend himself. “I welcome the development.  At least, I will now be able to defend myself,” he told GMA News Online.

GNO is still trying to get the side of the other named officials.

Abalos stressed that they are not yet finished with their job and there is still a lot to do regarding the issue, which he described as one of the biggest drug hauls in the country.

He also said that the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be improved, and the agency’s recruitment process should be strengthened.

“What is important right now is to look at the gaps from the recruitment of the Philippine National Police Academy. Kamukha ba ito ng PMA? May autonomous ba ‘to? Meron ba silang full set of faculty na talagang naka-devote lang dito? Kasi sa ngayon ang pagkakaalam ko wala eh, kung sino lang,” Abalos said.

(Is it the same with the PMA? Is it autonomous? Do they have a full set of faculty who are really devoted to it? Because as far as I know, there is no one.)

Based on the complaint, the erring cops allegedly violated Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; RA No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; Revised Penal Code (RPC) Article 171 or the Falsification of Documents; RPC Article 183 or Perjury; RPC 184 or Offering False Testimony; RPC Article 217 or the Malversation of Public Funds or Property; and Presidential Decree No. 1829 or Obstruction of Justice. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News