PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde has admitted that some of his men, particularly those doing their jobs properly, were affected with the "ninja cops" issue.
The term "ninja cops" refers to police officers who recycle illegal drugs that they seized during anti-drug operations.
"I think kahit papaano, the PNP here is affected dahil alam naman natin na majority of us are really working hard. Ito siguro, baka walang one or two percent sa aming hanay itong mga taong ito na dinudungisan ang amin organization," Albayalde said Thursday, September 26.
He clarified though that the PNP fully understands that it is all just part of public service.
"We are workers of the government and we should be able to be strong and firm in all kung ano ano man ang mga binabato sa aming organization," he said.
He advised his men to just continue working, particularly in their campaign against illegal drugs.
He said he is confident that amid the issues involving some members of the PNP, they still have the trust of the public, citing the result of the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
The second quarter SWS survey, which was conducted from June 22 to 26, found 82 percent of adult Filipinos satisfied, six percent undecided and 12 percent dissatisfied with the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
“Consistently, for the third consecutive year, since 2017, there is popular public acknowledgement of the national crusade against illegal drugs,” Albayalde said.
“The result of the second quarter SWS survey that shows 82 percent of Filipinos expressing satisfaction in the national campaign against illegal drugs is a valid recognition of the efforts of government to stamp out this social problem,” he added.
Albayalde said earlier that he submitted 762 names of suspected “ninja cops” during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 25.
This came after several policemen were implicated on the issue about recycling of drugs following a Senate hearing on the irregularities in the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).
Albayalde's name was also dragged into the issue, as he was the head of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office when at least six Criminal Investigation and Detection Group officers, including their head, was arrested over issues of “agaw-bato,” a scheme wherein policemen who arrest big-time drug traffickers keep the confiscated shabu for themselves and then sell it for a lower price.
Albayalde on Thursday, September 26, expressed positivity that “everything will be crystal clear,” as all the issues were covered by documents. (SunStar Philippines)