The logo of the Philippine National Police is emblazoned on the sleeves of an unnamed police officer, April 15, 2016. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file photoMANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the creation of a special task force that will run after retired and active policemen with arrest warrants in relation to the alleged cover-up in the confiscation of around P6.7 billion worth of drugs in Manila in October 2022.

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Marbil tasked Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, PNP Chief of Directorial Staff, to lead the creation of the task force.

Of the 30 people named in the arrest warrant issued by a Manila Regional Trial Court, 22 remain active in service, two have retired, three have opted for early retirement, one has resigned, and two have been dismissed, the PNP said in a statement on Wednesday.

However, according to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, upon checking, only 20 of those named in the arrest warrant remain in service: five are assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office; four at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1; two at PRO 4A; three at PRO 4B; one each at PRO 7, Civil Security Group (CSG), and Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU); and three at the Headquarters Support Service.

“Magkakaroon ng meeting to discuss paano mai-implement itong mga warrants of arrest, not only sa 20 na active personnel. Alam din natin na meron ding retired diyan, resigned and dismissed,” Fajardo told reporters in a virtual press briefing.

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The former and current cops’ supposed violations include the planting of evidence, and the delay and bungling in the prosecution of the drug cases.

Administrative cases will also be pursued against the active policemen for possible dismissal.

“Ang sabi ng ating chief PNP ... gusto niya ay tuluyan na ma-dismiss itong mga pulis because of their involvement in this questionable police operation,” Fajardo said.

“Sinasabi niya na unforgiving ang PNP pagdating sa mga wrongdoings ng ating mga kapulisan,” she added.

The case stemmed from a police operation in October 2022 when PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) operatives arrested a drug pusher in a buy bust, who later led the cops to an establishment in Manila where 990 kilos of shabu were recovered.

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Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos had dubbed the seizure as "probably the biggest drug haul in the history of the Philippines."

The establishment was later found to be owned by Mst. Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who served as an intelligence officer for the PDEG.

The case became even more controversial due to an alleged attempt by several police officers to save Mayo.

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