The Philippine National Police confirmed on Tuesday that a former police official, linked to the alleged mishandling of the P6.7 billion drug haul in October 2022, has surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
It was reported that at around 5 a.m., former PNP Deputy Chief for Operations PLt. Gen. Benjamin Santos arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 and subsequently turned himself in, to the CIDG.
Santos left the country before the warrant of arrest was issued against him for his alleged involvement in the said drug bust case.
In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, it was mentioned that Santos posted bail immediately, as he was not among the more than 20 police officers charged in the non-bailable case of planting evidence.
The former police official posted a P200,000 bail and was released from custody.
WATCH: Retired police general Benjie Santos, pinakawalan na ng CIDG matapos makapaglagak ng P200k piyansa sa kasong paglabag sa Section 92, RA 9165 | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/O0A0S5Iins
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 11, 2025
Moreover, the case Santos is involved in pertains only to the delay and bungling in the prosecution of the case related to the controversial drug bust.
CIDG Director PBGen. Nicolas Torre III is set to address the media to provide an update regarding the case.
Santos, along with 28 other active and former police officers, faces arrest warrants for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022.
These charges include the supposed planting of evidence, as well as delays and mishandling in the prosecution of drug-related cases.
In October 2022, operatives from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) arrested an alleged drug pusher in a buy-bust operation, who subsequently led the authorities to an establishment in Manila, where 990 kilos of shabu were discovered.
Furthermore, an intelligence officer for the PDEG, PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., was later implicated in the case after it was revealed that he owned the establishment in question.
