Head of PNP Drug Enforcement Group sacked

MANILA, Philippines — Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo the police official who supervised an intelligence-driven operation in October last year that led to the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion and arrest of a rogue anti-narcotics officer – was relieved from his post on Wednesday.

Domingo was sacked from his post as director of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP.

He was replaced by Brig. Gen. Faro Antonio Olaguera, formerly chief of the PNP Legal Service. Olaguera, a lawyer, is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy class of 1989.

Domingo’s relief came after he filed his leave of absence when he and nine other police officials were accused by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos of attempting to cover up the arrest of dismissed master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. – the alleged owner of a lending office in Tondo, Manila where PDEG operatives seized nearly a ton of shabu on Oct. 8.

Apart from Domingo, Col. Julian Olonan also filed a leave of absence as head of the PDEG Calabarzon field unit.

In a press conference last Monday, Domingo vehemently disputed Abalos’ claim of a massive attempt to cover up Mayo’s arrest.

Abalos based his conclusion on a closed-circuit television footage, which showed Mayo being arrested and later being uncuffed and released.

But Domingo explained that Mayo’s release was part of a tactical move after the former police officer claimed there was another batch of illegal drugs stored in a warehouse in Pasig City. He added that PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. approved their strategy of uncuffing Mayo for a follow-up operation.

“In our desire to accomplish more, ay gumawa tayo ng tactical move na makuha natin ‘yung kabilang grupo na naglaglag kay Mayo (we did a tactical move so we could also apprehend the group that dropped Mayo),” Domingo said.

Despite allegations that some police officials attempted to hide Mayo’s involvement in illegal drugs, the PNP maintained its integrity remains intact.

“We assure the public that the PNP’s integrity is intact and that we are continuously and religiously doing our job while maintaining our highest morale,” it said in a statement.

While the incident has created challenges, the PNP insisted it does not reflect the whole situation within its organization.

The PNP said the campaign to rid the country of prohibited narcotics continues to gain ground with the conduct of 14,122 operations nationwide from Jan. 1 to April 8, which resulted in the arrest of 18,927 drug suspects and confiscation of P5.4 billion worth of illegal drugs.

It also pointed out a 15 percent decrease in focus crimes during the same period.

The PNP also welcomed the move of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. to conduct an inquiry on the reported attempt to exculpate Mayo from the drug haul as it pointed to the charges filed against Mayo that are now pending in court.

As a professional organization, the PNP said it has a long-established internal mechanism in place, functional internal policies and guidelines on which all operational procedures are anchored. It added it has not stopped reminding the 227,000 members to uphold each and everyone’s oath to fulfill the mandate.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa advised Azurin to speak up on the alleged involvement of high-ranking police officers in drug bust to get to the bottom of the incident.

Dela Rosa, the first PNP chief during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the chief architect of the war on drugs, said Azurin should “balance” his reputation as he is set to retire from the police force on April 25 upon reaching the mandatory age of 56.

Tight-lipped since Monday, Azurin vowed he would break his silence soon on the alleged attempt by top PNP officers to cover up Mayo’s arrest.

Dela Rosa noted that Azurin’s statement is crucial in the effort to resolve the controversy in the case of Mayo, the seized 990 kilos of shabu, and the stolen 42 kilos from it.

Near completion

Members of the five-man advisory panel evaluating the records of ranking police officials who submitted their courtesy resignations are on the final stretch of their task.

Col. Redrico Maranan, PNP public information officer, said all members of the advisory committee Azurin heads were present in yesterday’s proceedings.

“The advisory group is on the final stretch of the review and evaluation of the documents of third level officers of the PNP,” Maranan said in a statement. – Cecille Suerte Felipe