MANILA — Ten of 29 active and former cops facing arrest warrants for the supposed mishandling of the P6.7-billion drug haul in Manila in October 2022 have surrendered, an ABS-CBN News source said Thursday.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil tasked PLtGen. Edgar Alan Okubo, PNP Chief of Directorial Staff, to lead the creation of the task force for the apprehension of the implicated cops.

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, PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo said that upon checking, only 20 of those named in the arrest warrant remained in service. Five are assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office, four in Ilocos Region, two in Calabarzon, three in Mimaropa, three at the Headquarters Support Service, and one each in Central Visayas, Civil Security Group (CSG), and Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU).

DOJ files charges vs 2 PNP generals, 28 others for ‘staged’ drug bust

A so-called "Task Force 29" matrix obtained by ABS CBN News indicated that some officers surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group. Others turned themselves in to the police offices in Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Pasay, Pangasinan, and Batangas.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a PNP-wide investigation would be launched on drug hauls beginning 2016.

The charges against the cops, including two high ranking generals, for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed by a panel of prosecutors. 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.

“Very conclusive naman ang evidence na pinakita namin. Pero I was hoping for non-bailable warrant of arrest. I think the DOJ will work towards that na palitan yung na may gagawin silang modification sa charge para maging non-bailable lahat sila,” said Remulla.

House panel seeks raps vs cops over controversial P6.7-B shabu haul

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

The establishment was later found to be owned by PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who served as an intelligence officer for the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.

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