This was admitted by Police Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, head of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group , following the call of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos for him and at least nine other cops to file a leave of absence following what the latter describes as a massive attempt to cover-up the arrest of Mayo in October last year.
Santos was also seen in the CCTV footage which served as a major basis in asking Domingo and at least eight other police officials to file a leave of absence. Abalos then created a separate fact-finding board headed by the head of the National Police Commission , saying that he was disappointed by the way the PNP leadership is handling the case of Mayo even after his arrest was announced.
“I admit that there were lapses but then in our desire to accomplish, further illegal drugs, we made a tactical move to get the other group which sold Mayo. I know there was something wrong in the procedures but I believe at that time that it was justified,” said Domingo.Based on the PDEG intelligence report, the other group sold Mayo to the PDEG operatives which led to his arrest and the confiscation of 990 kilos of shabu inside a lending agency he owns in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
“Covering up for someone like Mayo never entered our mind. Maybe our only fault was that we believed him when he said there was another warehouse,” said Olonan who said that his conscience is clear despite the statement made by Abalos.