INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday remained adamant and insisted that the CCTV footage “speaks for itself” when he declared that there was an alleged cover-up attempt in the P6.7 billion drug haul in October 2022.
Abalos issued that statement following the defense of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. who openly stated that there is no cover-up during the operation.
“In law, there is the principle of res ipsa loquitur. The thing speaks for itself. The video in itself is a statement of what transpired,” he said.
“While I respect General Azurin, I am sure he agrees with me that the public deserves to know the truth. Hindi lamang sa isyu ng 42 kilos kundi higit sa lahat sa kung ano ang nangyari sa 900 kilos na nakumpiska,” he added.
According to Abalos he trusts that the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which he actually chairs, to thoroughly investigate the situation.
Abalos had called on the 10 cops, including PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG) director Police Brigadier General Narciso Domingo, to take a leave of absence.
In October 2022, authorities arrested now-dismissed Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and confiscated 990 kilograms of confiscated shabu in Manila.
It was noted that there were 42 kilos of the confiscated drugs that were allegedly stolen by some cops after the operation.
Abalos noted that the Napolcom’s fact-finding panel was convened after he found the police investigation into the case of Mayo to be slow.
Catherine R. Cueto
