PNP ‘grand conspiracy’ probe underway

MANILA, Philippines — A “grand conspiracy” of police officers mishandling drug operations during the previous Duterte administration will be probed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has cited systemic corruption within the Philippine National Police after 22 PNP officers were placed in restrictive custody for “simulated” arrests, planting evidence and delaying the prosecution of drug cases in 2022.

Staged arrests were made by 30 police officers, supposedly leading to the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Tondo, Manila.

Over 400 kilos of drugs were reportedly withheld and resold by police for about P2.4 billion. About 307 kilos remain unaccounted for.

Eight of the 30 police officers involved retired, resigned or were dismissed.

At a Monday press conference, Remulla said the operation in 2022 revealed what appeared to be a “grand conspiracy” to hide a “criminal enterprise” within the PNP.

Citing the quad committee hearings of the House of Representatives, Remulla said former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma made it clear that there was a reward system during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, in which police were incentivized to stage false arrests and manipulate evidence to claim cash rewards.

“It is our theory, though not proven, that because of the reward system instituted by the PNP in 2016, drug hauls were not reported entirely,” Remulla said.

“This led to the creation of warehouses where they would take drugs, make arrests, claim rewards and even secure promotions,” he noted.

In a separate interview, Remulla said their findings showed the issue has become standard practice, leading them to describe it as a grand conspiracy.

The PNP has maintained that there is no grand conspiracy within the police force.

“The PNP firmly denies allegations of a ‘grand conspiracy’ within its ranks and reaffirms its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct,” it said yesterday.

As for the alleged reward system, the PNP said no police chief would condone such a practice.

“Rewards are strictly limited to the lawful arrest of wanted persons, governed by established regulations,” the PNP said.

The PNP is also pursuing criminal cases against police officers who have retired or resigned.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against the 30 police officers involved in the anomalous drug operation in 2022.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo and 28 other officers are facing charges filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 175.

The case stemmed from the staged arrest of police M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and Ney Saligumba Atadero in October 2022.

Mayo, who was at the center of the anomalous operation, is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig. — Emmanuel Tupas, Alexis Romero