PNP reviews record of cops in P6.7 billion shabu haul

MANILA, Philippines — The previous accomplishments by anti-narcotics officers implicated in alleged irregularities in the P6.7-billion methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) haul in Tondo, Manila last year are under review by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The review is to determine if there were also anomalies in the anti-narcotics operations similar to the raid on a lending office last October wherein 990 kilos of shabu were seized, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

“All of the previous operations involving the same personnel are now under review to check (if there are) irregularities,” Fajardo said in an interview.

In May 2022, police officers who were among those charged by the Department of the Interior and Local Government before the Office of the Ombudsman were commended by the PNP for a sting in Valenzuela
City in the same month that led to the seizure of 11 kilos of shabu valued at P74.8 million.

Among the awardees were Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ibanez, Maj. Michael Salmingo, M/Sgt. Roman Jimenez and dismissed master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., the alleged owner of the lending firm that housed the nearly one ton of shabu.

Then PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. personally gave the awards to the police officers, who were former members of the police Drug Enforcement Group, for their “meritorious heroic acts.”

Fajardo said the PNP could take back the awards if the review would show there were also irregularities in the anti-drug operation in Valenzuela and other accomplishments of the policemen.