A retired police general implicated in the mishandling of a PHP6.7 billion drug haul in 2022 returned to the Philippines and surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo stated that an arrest warrant was served to retired Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., former PNP deputy chief for operations, upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 4:48 a.m.
“He surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and underwent standard booking procedures,” Fajardo said.
However, Santos was released at around 9:12 a.m. after posting PHP200,000 bail.
Santos is among 29 former and active PNP officers ordered arrested by a Manila court over a failed anti-drug operation.
“Retired Gen. Santos had sent surrender feelers last week, along with a request for assistance in posting bail,” CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said in a press conference at Camp Crame.
Of the 29 wanted officers, seven remain at large, including former Drug Enforcement Group chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo. On January 31, Domingo posted a 16-minute video on Facebook appealing to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to review their case.
Domingo oversaw the October 2022 operation that led to the seizure of 990 kg of shabu and the arrest of dismissed anti-narcotics officer S/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
A Manila court issued arrest warrants for 29 police officers for violating Section 92 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes bungling the prosecution of drug cases—a bailable offense.
Additionally, another Manila court issued separate warrants for their arrest under Section 29 of the anti-drug law, which pertains to planting evidence, a non-bailable offense. (PNA)
