A former high-ranking police officer suspected of being involved in the mishandling of P6.7-billion worth of illegal drugs in Manila in October 2022 surrendered voluntarily, according to a statement from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday. The incident became part of a larger issue of corruption and malpractice within the police force, prompting a thorough investigation within the organization.
According to PNP Spokesman Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, PLT Gen. Benjamin Santos, former deputy chief of operations of the PNP, surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before rush hour. Gen. Santos was immediately released after paying bail amounting to P200,000.
Gen. Santos is included in the list of 29 active and retired police officers facing arrest warrants. These are related to alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, such as planting evidence, delaying the progress of cases, and other irregularities in the process. The case is considered one of the biggest drug busts in the country's history, but has been marred by controversy over allegations of collusion among police officers.
The flaring issue has sparked a wider call for transparency and accountability in the PNP. Despite the surrender of Gen. Santos, regaining public trust in the institution remains a big challenge. Authorities are continuing to take steps to thoroughly investigate the accusations against the other officials involved and ensure that these cases are given a fair trial.
