The former Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) denied allegations that the current and former DILG Secretaries were being manipulated or used by syndicates in connection with the 2022 P6.7-B drug haul case.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, Benhur Abalos explained that the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the criminal charges against those involved in the conducted anti-illegal drug operation.
Abalos further clarified that his involvement was solely in the investigation phase of the case.
“Unang-una ‘yung sinasabi nitong si Mr. Domingo na ako raw ay na-uto o kung papaano na-tricked, ang nagdedemanda sa kanya ang DOJ na, hindi na ako. Ang papel ko rito sabi ko imbestigahan,” Abalos explained.
The accusations stemmed from a video uploaded by retired BGen. Narciso Domingo, former head of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, on his social media.
In the video, he claimed that a syndicate was behind the case, manipulating and using government officials.
Abalos emphasized that the anomalies, which prompted him to immediately mobilize a task force for investigation while he was still serving as the department secretary, can be clearly seen on CCTV footage.
"Maalala ninyo, iisa lang ang sinabi ko sa kanila, ‘the video speaks for itself.’ Nagsasalita ang video na dapat may ipaliwanag ang mga pulis rito," said Abalos.
"At dahil dito, pinaimbestigahan ko ito sa NAPOLCOM. Gumawa tayo ng task force para imbestigahan ito, ang PNP rin nag-imbestiga," he added.
He added that during his time as DILG Secretary, he was focused on cleansing operations, which allegedly resulted in the confiscation of nearly P33.8 billion worth of illegal drugs in the first two years of the administration.
This includes the shabu bust, which he described as the largest drug haul in the country.
Eight of the 29 active and retired PNP officials involved in the case remain at large, including Domingo, who is believed to be in hiding.
Domingo and the others involved have been charged by the DOJ at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, including planting of evidence and delaying the prosecution of the case.
