THE House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chaired by Rep.Robert “Ace” Barbers (2nd District, Surigao del Norte) resumed its motu propio investigation of the alleged involvement of some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the illegal drug trade, pursuant to House Resolution 495.
On October 8, 2022, the PNP conducted a buy-bust operation that resulted in the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu found inside the Wealth and Personal Development (WPD) Lending Inc. in Tondo, Manila. The WPD Lending Inc. is allegedly owned by Police Master Sergeant (PMSgt) Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who is assigned to the National Capital Region (NCR) Special Operations Unit (SOU) of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
Committee Chairman Barbers explained that the inquiry seeks to establish the knowledge of different personalities, agencies and operatives on the drugs seized leading to the drug bust operations on October 8, 2022. The operations that day will be analyzed with the aid of testimonies, and documentary evidence in the Committee’s possession, and its copy of an authenticated copy of CCTV footage that will be used to confirm certain activities and presence of certain personalities in and around the premises of WPD Lending, Rep. Barbers added.
According to Rep. Barbers, the panel specifically seeks to be enlightened on the following: 1) the alleged cover-up on the arrest of PMSgt Mayo Jr.; 2) the reported release of PMSgt Mayo Jr. and his role in the Pasig Operation in the night of October 8, 2022; 3) the sources of 990 kilos of shabu seized in WPD Lending; 4) the four (4) instances that “baggages” were taken out from the WPD Lending office which included the “savings” of shabu estimated to weigh 42 kilos; 5) the status of the PNP’s internal investigation, actions and recommendations, and the cases filed, if any; 6) the roles of the personalities present in the October 8 operation ; 7) the presentation of a certain Ney Atadero the caretaker of the WPD Lending office, as the primary and only suspect on the seizure of the 990 kilos of shabu found at the WPD Lending office.
He assured attendees that “all resource persons will be given the opportunity and the time to air their side (and) due process will be observed.”
Rep.Romeo Acop (2nd District,Antipolo) noted some inconsistencies in the statements of Police Capt. Jonathan Sosongco, head of the PDEG SOU 4A arresting team, about the follow-up operations that led to the subsequent arrest of PMSgt. Mayo.
Rep. Jorge Bustos (Party List PATROL) urged the PNP to review and revisit their POPM (Police Operations Personnel Manual) while Rep.Gerville Luistro (2nd District, Batangas) urged the panel to reveal the true identity of the drug assets and informants. Rep. Barbers informed Rep. Luistro that disclosing the names of informants is not allowed so as to protect the security of said persons.
Rep. Barbers during the inquiry also acknowledged the presence of the newly appointed PNP chief Benjamin Acorda, who made it clear that he does not and will not tolerate policemen involved in illegal drug activities.
