SEN. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday joined the list of skeptics casting doubts on the police version of events that led to the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu in Manila last October, saying there was an apparent cover-up in the operation against dismissed cop Rodolfo Mayo, who reportedly owned the massive stash.
During the second hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Senate Resolution No. 564 on the alleged involvement of ranking police officers on the drug haul, policemen involved in the bust gave senators the runaround, particularly when they were asked to identify the “asset” or informant who provided the information on Mayo’s operation.
Dela Rosa, the committee chairman, clearly got irked with the conflicting answers provided by the cops — that no one among them knew the asset.
Among the officials who had initially cast doubts on the official police version on the drug bust was Interior Secretary Benjur Abalos Jr., who claimed there was a “cover-up” involving Mayo.
Police Capt. Jonathan Sosongco, a team leader of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit, said he got the information on Mayo only through an “asset” that he said he has not seen in person, adding they were just communicating via cellphone.
Sosongco pointed to Senior Master Sgt. Jerrywin Rebosora, who reportedly gave the asset’s contact number to him, but this was denied by Rebosora.
“I have not given any (number to Sosongco), your honor. I have no informant, your honor,” Rebosora said.
Senior Master Sgt. Marian Mananghaya, the team leader of Rebosora, also denied knowing the informant, saying the only information they received was the description of the vehicle that will deliver illegal drugs in an identified area in Manila.
Dela Rosa asked for Sosongco’s cellphone so he can read the text messages and see the exchange of calls with the supposed informant. But Sosongco said the phone he used during the operation against Mayo was no longer in his possession, saying it was used only for that specific operation.
“If only I can give you that information, I would have given you that, but there is really nothing that I can give. I am just in constant communication with the informant,” Sosongco said.
This irked Dela Rosa even more, who asked Sen. Robin Padilla to cite Sosongco in contempt, which the neophyte senator did.
“Sobra na itong panlolokong ginagawa sa atin nito, nauubos ang oras nito. (We’re being fooled, we’re losing time on this). There is a motion to cite in contempt Capt. Jonathan Sosongco. Is there any objection? Hearing none, Capt. Sosongco is hereby cited in contempt,” Dela Rosa said as ordered the Senate sergeant at arms to place Sosongco under its custody in the Senate building.
He added: “You’re telling us that you were calling the informant and you don’t have his number? You are fooling this committee.”
Dela Rosa said the cops were either lying possibly because they are already members of the drug syndicate or were afraid to tell the truth for fear that syndicate members will get back at them.
He said all the cops present during the hearing were hiding something or lying through their teeth.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo said he got information on the so-called Oplan Ninja in the PNP wherein anti-illegal drugs operatives were to recruit cops involved in illegal drugs, especially those included in former President Duterte’s drug watchlist, and use them to penetrate drug syndicates.
Dela Rosa said this could be the reason why Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ibanez, a team leader of PDEG, requested to have Mayo re-assigned to the PDEG after he was “thrown” in Basilan for being a “ninja cop.”
Former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who was physically present during the hearing, said he got information from former PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva that Ibanez was under the PDEA’s radar for “recycling” illegal drugs seized during operations.
Police Brigadier Gen. Narciso Domingo, former PDEG chief, said the focus of Special Investigating Task Group 990 was on his lapses during the operation when it should train its sight on Mayo.
He believes that drug syndicates are behind the moves to refocus the investigation at him.
“The drug syndicate which lost over P7 billion worth of shabu struck back as they have the power, money, and resources to counteract and even knock down a police brigadier general,” Domingo said.
He said it was actually Lt. Col. Glenn Gonzales, a member of the Quezon City Police District, who had “personal knowledge” as to the exact location of the 1.032 tons of shabu (the seized 990 kilos + the pilfered but recovered 42 kilos) being taken care of by Mayo.
He said he suspects that Gonzales was even acting as an “informant” to get the reward money for every successful drug operation.
“Recently, I realized wala siyang informant. Siya mismo ang informant, your honor (Recently, I realized that he (Gonzales) had no informant. He is actually the informant, your honor,” Domingo said.
In response, Gonzales said Domingo was making up stories apparently to free himself of any liability in the case.
Dela Rosa said Domingo and all the other police officers involved should tell the truth on what they know of the operation against Mayo and the pilferage of 42 kilos of shabu.
“I am reminding you that your statements are inconsistent with the CCTV footage that you yourself provided. The time stamps on the CCTV are very revealing that you committed mistakes. So please, you cannot correct that mistake by making another mistake with the wrong statement,” Dela Rosa said.
Domingo admitted having committed lapses during the operation but said he must stand with what he has executed in his sworn affidavit for fear of getting slapped with perjury.
“I cannot retract at this point because that was what was stated in my sworn affidavit and I might be charged with perjury. That’s why I will stand by what was in my sworn affidavit even if I know that there is something wrong with it,” Domingo said.
Dela Rosa said Domingo can change his testimony to clear things up since the former PDEG chief is now being portrayed as a “villain” in social media due to the pilferage of 42 kilos of shabu by his men and that there was a massive cover-up in the operation.
“I commensurate with you. Your operation was a big hit; now the investigations have shifted to you. Be man enough to admit your mistakes. Do not be afraid of perjury because it is bailable. The important thing is for the truth to come out. The truth shall set you free,” Dela Rosa said.
He was referring to the initial spot report wherein Mayo’s name was not included as among those arrested during the operation last October, and the inconsistencies in his testimony during the hearing.
He said Gonzales and Ibanez should also tell the truth as both were apparently hiding something.
He said drug syndicates have penetrated the ranks of the police since Mayo was in possession of a huge amount of shabu and that the cops involved were trying to hide basic information from senators.
The senators took turns in questioning Mayo, who physically attended the hearing.
The questions thrown at Mayo included his role in the drug syndicate, and if he was the bagman of police officials.
Mayo invoked “my right to be silent” as cases have been filed in court against him.
Dela Rosa said the committee knew well that cases had been filed against Mayo and that a gag order had been issued by the court handling the cases from publicly discussing the merits of the case.
“While we recognize the gag order, this committee will continue to conduct its legislative function and use its power of inquiry, in aid of legislation, as expressly provided in the 1987 Constitution…,” Dela Rosa said, adding that no less than the Supreme Court has respected the said constitutional provision.
He also asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council on the possibility of conducting an investigation on information that the cops involved in the operation have offshore bank accounts.
