The House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs expects former police master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. to attend its congressional inquiry Wednesday on the controversial drug bust involving 990 kilos or P6.7 billion worth of “shabu” last year.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, panel chairman, made the statement as nearly 50 national police officials are involved in the incident, which had been tainted by an alleged cover-up.
“Actually, we invited all of them…all those who were involved and suspended by Sec. [Benjamin] Abalos,” Barbers said in an interview.
“We invited all of them; all those involved in the issue, including…Sergeant Mayo. Maybe, if sergeant Mayo will be allowed to attend via Zoom, because he has already been charged and is held at the (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology),” Barbers said.
Rep. Barbers’ interview coincided with the assumption of General Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the 29th PNP chief Monday who vowed to continue the cleansing of their ranks.
Barbers said if Mayo will be allowed to attend the inquiry that would be for the best because there are questions pertaining to Mayo.
The hearing on Wednesday is in response to House Resolution 495 which Barbers himself filed back in November 2022.
In filing the resolution, Barbers cited the need for Congress to look into the alleged involvement of police officers in the alleged cover-up and attempts to recycle the illegal drugs seized during the Oct. 8, 2022 drug bust in Tondo, Manila.
On that day, the police confiscated 990 kilos of shabu from the office of a lending company owned by Mayo, who was formerly connected with the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group.
Prior to posting, Mayo and other police officials invited as resource persons in the congressional inquiry have yet to confirm their attendance, Barbers said.
The committee earlier initiated a motu proprio investigation into the alleged recycling of confiscated drugs, reward system for drug informants, and the alleged commission being received by asset/s or non-organic intelligence people of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Acorda, from La Union and Ilocos Norte, said no police officer should be involved in using, pushing, or whatever means in the illegal drug trade and those who do will face charges and removal from service.
“You will be charged and removed from the service. This is my warning to each and every one of you. Our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations,” said the 1991 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, expected to serve in that capacity until his retirement on December 3.
According to him, the PNP will be relentless in anti-criminality campaigns through intensive police visibility and sincere police presence.
“We will not rest until every Filipino feels safe and secure in their homes, streets, and places of work,” he said.
Acorda, seen by military and police observers as soft-spoken, also vowed that he will welcome criticisms and will be transparent.
“To the media, our longtime partners, we welcome critics as our independent source of check and balance. We are allies in bringing out the truth. We need your support to inform the public of our endeavors for peace and order. We will be transparent,” he said.
He said the PNP under his leadership will follow the Marcos administration’s call for unity and nation-building. “We shall move toward a unified PNP.”
He added the PNP will protect the delivery of basic services for disadvantaged Filipinos in hinterlands and urban poor areas, chasing that with a challenge to PNP personnel “to always do the right thing. Let us hate crime and fight criminals.”