Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) director BGen. Narciso Domingo has been relieved of his post over allegations of his involvement in covering up the arrest of anti-narcotics operative M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo. Mayo was arrested during a raid in October 2022, where 990 kilos of crystal methamphetamine or shabu was seized as part of the biggest drug haul in the country’s law enforcement history. A government investigation found there was “a massive attempt to cover up” the arrest of Mayo. The other police officials implicated in the alleged cover-up were Col. Julian Olonan, LtCol. Arnulfo Ibañez, Maj. Michael Angelo Salmingo, Capt. Jonathan Sosongco, Capt. Randolph Piñon, Lt. Glen Gonzales, Lt. Asgrap Amerol, and LtCol. Harry Lorenzo 3rd.
Domingo and Olonan have denied the allegations, stating that the video footage shown is a tactical move to seize more shabu in a Pasig City warehouse identified by Mayo after his arrest. Another police official allegedly involved in the cover-up – LtGen. Benjamin Santos – retired from service in March 2023. Everyone implicated in the cover-up is on leave pending investigation.
This news comes amid the Philippine war on drugs, which has been criticised by human rights groups for alleged extrajudicial killings by police, arbitrary arrests and imprisonments, and denial of due process to suspects. While the government claims the campaign is necessary to eradicate drugs from the country, critics say it has led to the abuse of governmental power, stigmatisation of drug users and a climate of fear.
In this case, authorities seized P6.7 billion worth of shabu, one of the biggest drug busts in the country. According to the PNP, more than 223,647 anti-narcotics operations were conducted between July 2016 and September 2021, targeting 271,000 drug suspects, resulting in the arrest of 374,809 suspects and the deaths of more than 7,000 drug suspects. However, human rights groups have questioned the accuracy of these statistics and claimed the arrests and killings resulted from a lack of due process, leading to an increase in extrajudicial killings, summary executions and enforced disappearances.
In 2018, the Philippine government withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council after criticism of its war on drugs. The UN has condemned the government’s approach, and multiple human rights groups have called for independent and impartial investigations into the killings of drug suspects. The government has repeatedly defended the campaign and claims that it aims to counter the drug menace and restore law and order.
The latest allegations of cover-up against police officials involved in the drug bust raise further questions about the country’s approach to the war on drugs and the accountability of those in power. The government has stressed that it remains committed to its campaign against drugs and that corrective actions will be taken against any wrongdoing. However, with mounting criticism against the government’s approach to drug policing, it remains to be seen whether such actions are enough to address the systemic issues present in the country’s war on drugs.
