Manila: A retired police general implicated in the mishandling of a PHP6.7 billion drug haul in 2022 surrendered to authorities upon his return to the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced. The PNP confirmed that Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. (ret.), former deputy chief for operations, was served an arrest warrant shortly after his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:48 a.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo reported that Santos surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and underwent standard booking procedures. However, he was released around 9:12 a.m. after posting PHP200,000 bail.

Santos is one of 29 former and active PNP members ordered arrested by a Manila court over the flawed anti-drug operation. CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III stated that Santos had sent surrender feelers and requested assistance in posting bail. Upon arrival, Santos was met by PNP personnel at the airport and, with his lawyer, voluntarily surrendered to RTC Branch 44 in Manila, where the bail was posted.

Torre noted that seven of the 29 wanted officers remain at large, including former Drug Enforcement Group chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo. Domingo posted a video on social media urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to examine their case. Tracker teams have been formed to locate Domingo and the six others, and an HDO (Hold Departure Order) has been issued to prevent their exit from the country.

Domingo was in charge of the October 2022 operation that resulted in the confiscation of 990 kg of shabu and the arrest of a rogue anti-narcotics officer, dismissed S/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. A Manila court has charged the 29 officers with violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, including bungling the prosecution of drug cases and planting evidence, the latter being a non-bailable offense.