A retired police general has surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued against those involved in an alleged staged drug operation in Manila in 2022, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
Former PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, retired Police Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos, surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) early Tuesday morning, according to PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo.
“Around 4:48 a.m. this morning, he surrendered to the [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] and he was read a [warrant of arrest] and went through the normal booking procedures,” Fajardo told reporters in a message.
Santos was processed and served the arrest warrant before being released after posting bail of P200,000.
Santos and 28 other active and former police officers face arrest warrants for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, including reportedly planting evidence and mishandling the drug case prosecution.
The case stems from a 2022 police operation where PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) operatives arrested a suspected drug pusher. The suspect led them to a Manila establishment where 990 kilos of shabu were seized. The establishment was owned by PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., an intelligence officer for the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.
The case gained further controversy due to alleged attempts by several police officers to protect Mayo.