The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of 29 former and incumbent policemen for their alleged involvement in the “staged” anti-illegal drugs operation in Manila, where authorities seized P6.7 billion worth of shabu in 2022.
In an order dated January 14, 2025, RTC Judge Gwyn P. Calina ordered the arrest of police officers charged with bungling drug case prosecutions, violating Section 91 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The same 29 policemen are also charged with planting evidence.
Bail for their provisional liberty is set at P200,000 each.
“You are required to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording devices, or a minimum of two devices, or such number as may be necessary to capture and record the relevant incidents in the execution of this warrant pursuant to the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants (A.M. No. 21-06-08-SC) issued by the Supreme Court and which became effective on 1 August 2021,” Judge Calina said in the order issued to law enforcers.
The DOJ filed the case in court after releasing a resolution from its preliminary investigation against the policemen.
The case stemmed from the alleged buy-bust operation against WPD Lending in Tondo, Manila, which led to the Oct. 8, 2022, arrest of Nely Saligumba Atadero and the seizure of 990 kilograms of shabu. It also involved the Oct. 9, 2022, arrest of PMSG Rodolfo B. Mayo during a hot pursuit operation at Quezon Bridge, Quiapo, Manila.
The DOJ panel of prosecutors, citing CCTV footage and other evidence, found the police operation to have been “staged.” (TCSP)
