Former PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group chief Benjamin Magalong named the 13 ‘ninja cops’ involved in illegal drug recycling in Pampanga in 2013.
During the Senate hearing, Magalong identified Supt. Rodney Raymundo Baloyo IV; Senior Inspector Joven de Guzman Jr.; SPO1 Jules Maniago; SPO1 Donald Roque; SPO1 Ronald Santos; SPO1 Rommel Vital; SPO1 Alcindor Tinio; SPO1 Eligio Valeroso; PO3 Dindo Dizon; PO3 Gilbert De Vera; PO3 Romeo Guerrero Jr.; PO3 Dante Dizon; and PO2 Anthony Lacsamana. All were members of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office.
According to Magalong, former PNP chief Alan Purisima appointed him in 2013 to investigate Pampanga police officers who led a buy-bust operation at Woodbridge Subdivision, Lakeshore View, Pampanga on Nov. 29, 2013, where they seized 38 kg of shabu.
Purisima received an intelligence report that police officers had cars at the same time, so they decided to investigate.
But it turns out that about 200 kilos of shabu were confiscated and not 38.
Drug lord Johnson Lee escaped the operation and sought help from the barangay officials.
But barangay officials became suspicious when Lee offered them money, so they called the police in Mexico, Pampanga to surrender Lee.
According to Magalong, PNP Pampanga did not present Lee to the media but a Ding Wenkun.
He also learned that Lee paid P50 million for his freedom.
According to witnesses, about four people had to carry an oversize suitcase containing shabu.
After the buy-bust operation, drugs flooded Pampanga and shabu prices fell to P4,000 per gram or P4 million per kilogram, Magalong said.
Former Region 3 police director Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta immediately relieved the former Senior Supt. Oscar Albayalde from his post. Albayalde is now the PNP chief.
The case was filed against the 13 PNP officials, but it did not progress until Magalong retired in 2016.
Petrasanta also ordered the removal of 13 ‘ninja cops’ involved in illegal drug recycling because of grave misconduct, but all were only demoted by one rank.
Also read: Shabu seized in Visayas: P13.6-M in Dumaguete, P2-M worth in Bacolod