Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday cited in contempt and ordered the detention of another police officer linked to the massive drug haul in Tondo, Manila last year, which led to the seizure of ₱6.7-billion worth of illegal drugs.
PCpt. Jonathan Sosongco, who led the arresting team that conducted the drug operation in October 2022, got the ire of the panel’s chair Senator Ronald Dela Rosa for failing to give details about the informant behind the drug operation.
Sosongco admitted that he got in touch with the informant, but he maintained that he has no idea about the latter’s identity.
\”Tawag tawag lang yung information na ina-ano, sir,\” the embattled cop said. \”Yung informant, sir, based on the tawag lang.\”
[Translation: The information was just given through calls. I just got in touch with the informant through calls.]
Despite Dela Rosa’s push for Sosongco to identify the informant, the latter can’t give a name during the hearing.
\”Wala naman po talaga akong maibigay, sir kasi hindi ko naman po talaga kilala yung informant,\” said Sosongco.
[Translation: I cannot really give anything, sir, because I really don’t know who the informant is.]
Moreover, Sosongco said the details about the informant came from PSMSgt. Jerrywin Rebosora of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group’s (PDEG) Intelligence and Foreign Liaison Division. But Rebosora denied the claim.
\”I have nothing to do with the informant. Kasi kung informant namin, sa amin na lang, hindi po namin pwede ipagkatiwala sa iba,\” said Rebosora.
[Translation: I have nothing to do with the informant. Because if we know that informant, we will not entrust his details to others.]
Rebosora was also cited in contempt along with PMSgt. Lorenzo Catarata last March due to inconsistencies in their statements regarding the drug raid.
Dela Rosa was not convinced with Sosongco’s statements.
\”Parang ginagawa mo akong tanga. Hindi ka nahiya. Mga senador itong kausap mo, harap harapan mo, dati mo pang chief PNP,\” the senator said.
[Translation: You are just fooling me and you are not ashamed of that. You are talking in front of senators and your former PNP chief.]
