The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it will dig deeper to know if more cops were involved in the illegal drugs trade following the arrest of an intelligence officer in a major buy-bust operation in Manila.
“We expect Sgt. (Rodolfo) Mayo to reveal or help us identify his other cohorts, if there were any,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. told reporters at a press conference.
“We don’t care how far this investigation would go,” he added.
Mayo, an intelligence officer for the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, was arrested at the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila on Sunday after a drug suspect implicated him.
Over the weekend, authorities have confiscated some 990 kilograms of suspected shabu worth over P6.7 billion following a series of anti-drug operations in Manila.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the yield from the anti-illegal drug operation was probably the biggest haul in the country’s history.
PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Narcisco Domingo said Mayo expressed willingness to give information to the police.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz on Monday commended his men from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) who were part of the anti-narcotics operation in Manila that resulted in the seizure of more than P6.7 billion worth of illegal drugs.
The CIIS men assisted the Philippine National Police – Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) over the weekend in the buy-bust operation at 1742 Jose Abad Santos Street, Barangay 252, in Tondo where one suspect was arrested and several pieces of evidence were seized.
Ruiz also lauded the PDEG and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for what could be the biggest anti-illegal drug operation this year.
He said it was a great jumpstart in the last quarter of the year as government agencies work together intensifying their operations against the illegal drug trade.
“We want to thank PDEG for leading the operation. It would not be possible without the help of many other agencies, including the BOC and PDEA, but PDEG deserves the credit for acting upon the information they got, investigating the area and the suspect, and coordinating with all of us for the success of this operation,” he added.
“Sometimes, in as big as an operation as this, it takes a lot to keep it under wraps and ensure no one would get wind of the plan. This is why coordination among different government agencies must be topnotch. We need to ensure we can trust and work with one another,” Ruiz stressed.
The operation on Saturday, Oct. 8, resulted to the seizure of more or less 990 kilograms and 102 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (shabu) with an estimated standard drug price of P6.7 billion from the suspect.
Meanwhile, CIIS director Jeoffrey Tacio vowed they will “continue the strengthened coordination and cooperation” with BOC’s partner law enforcement agencies especially PDEG and PDEA to “ensure that the fight against illegal drugs will remain strong.”
“Drugs have long been our society’s biggest problem. The BOC is one with the current administration and our partner agencies in taking the necessary steps to stop this menace,” he said.
