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Senate Resumes Probe On P6.7-B Drug Bust
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa. Photo by Senate PH
The Senate of the Philippines has resumed its investigation into the alleged involvement of officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the P6.7 billion drug haul in Manila late last year.
During the third public inquiry held on Tuesday, May 23, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, the chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, stated that the committee had found substantial basis to conclude that there was indeed an attempt to cover up the involvement of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo in illegal drug operations.
Dela Rosa emphasized that while the cover-up was not fully consummated, as Mayo was eventually charged, there was a clear intent to hide his role in the drug bust.
Regarding the involvement of other high-ranking PNP officials, including former PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin, Dela Rosa stated that further investigation was required before any conclusions could be reached.
In his address during the hearing, Dela Rosa expressed his commitment to the fight against drugs. He declared that his advocacy against drugs would persist even if he faced consequences, including international legal repercussions, stating, "I will continue to fight against drugs until my last breath, until the last drop of my blood. I will not back down from this drug problem."
During the continuation of the inquiry, Senator Raffy Tulfo moved to cite Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibanez, the superior of dismissed police officer PMSgt. Mayo, in contempt for his refusal to answer questions about Mayo's operations.
Tulfo accused Ibanez of attempting to deceive the committee and stated that he was making a mockery of their proceedings.
“He (Ibanez) is trying to fool this committee by saying that he has no idea about the movement of his men. He is lying through his teeth and he is making a fool out of us,” Tulfo said in mixed Filipino and English.
Furthermore, Senator Robinhood Padilla also moved to cite Mayo in contempt for his lack of cooperation in shedding light on the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials and officers of the PNP in the P6.7 billion drug bust.
The motion was granted, and Dela Rosa requested the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to collaborate with the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms to ensure Mayo's custody if the court handling his cases granted his release order.
Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. expressed his dismay at the alleged involvement of policemen in illegal drug activities during the hearing.
He urged Dela Rosa, a former head of the PNP, to intensify efforts to apprehend the leaders of drug syndicates and address the root of the drug problem.
Revilla emphasized the need to protect the future of the youth and prevent them from falling victim to the perils of illegal drugs.
During the third public inquiry held on Tuesday, May 23, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, the chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, stated that the committee had found substantial basis to conclude that there was indeed an attempt to cover up the involvement of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo in illegal drug operations.
Dela Rosa emphasized that while the cover-up was not fully consummated, as Mayo was eventually charged, there was a clear intent to hide his role in the drug bust.
Regarding the involvement of other high-ranking PNP officials, including former PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin, Dela Rosa stated that further investigation was required before any conclusions could be reached.
In his address during the hearing, Dela Rosa expressed his commitment to the fight against drugs. He declared that his advocacy against drugs would persist even if he faced consequences, including international legal repercussions, stating, "I will continue to fight against drugs until my last breath, until the last drop of my blood. I will not back down from this drug problem."
During the continuation of the inquiry, Senator Raffy Tulfo moved to cite Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibanez, the superior of dismissed police officer PMSgt. Mayo, in contempt for his refusal to answer questions about Mayo's operations.
Tulfo accused Ibanez of attempting to deceive the committee and stated that he was making a mockery of their proceedings.
“He (Ibanez) is trying to fool this committee by saying that he has no idea about the movement of his men. He is lying through his teeth and he is making a fool out of us,” Tulfo said in mixed Filipino and English.
Furthermore, Senator Robinhood Padilla also moved to cite Mayo in contempt for his lack of cooperation in shedding light on the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials and officers of the PNP in the P6.7 billion drug bust.
The motion was granted, and Dela Rosa requested the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to collaborate with the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms to ensure Mayo's custody if the court handling his cases granted his release order.
Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. expressed his dismay at the alleged involvement of policemen in illegal drug activities during the hearing.
He urged Dela Rosa, a former head of the PNP, to intensify efforts to apprehend the leaders of drug syndicates and address the root of the drug problem.
Revilla emphasized the need to protect the future of the youth and prevent them from falling victim to the perils of illegal drugs.
May 24, 2023
