In a press conference on Tuesday, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed that criminal complaints had been filed against 50 police personnel who allegedly committed irregularities following the discovery of P6.7 billion in crystal meth, colloquially known as "shabu," in October last year.
The complaints were filed at the Office of the Ombudsman by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Friday, June 9, for a variety of offenses:
- violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
- violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act
- violations of the Revised Penal Code, specifically for falsification, perjury, and false testimony
- obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree No. 1829
According to Abalos, the complaints were submitted based on the findings of the inquiry undertaken by Napolcom and the PNP Special Inquiry Task Group (SITG) 990.
He added that among the 50 respondents, 48 have appeared on the CCTV video, and two officers have been added for the charge of conspiracy.
He was referring to a video documenting what happened on the day of Police Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.'s arrest, which he made public on April 10.
Administrative cases will also be brought against the 50 officers, including cases of grave misconduct and grave negligence of duty, which are punishable by expulsion from the police force and loss of benefits.
