Albayalde: Let us all move on

EMBATTLED Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde on Monday, October 7, urged the entire police force as well as the public to “move on” from the ninja cops issue.

"I am grateful as well to the clarification by President Duterte himself that there are no active service police generals involved in the drug controversy," he said.

“I enjoin everyone to move on, now that the President has already spoken,” he added.

Albayalde made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte, upon his arrival in Davao City Sunday from Russia, said he wanted “clear proof” of the allegations against Albayalde.

“We have to..the presumption (of innocence). Eh, ‘yung criminal, binibigyan ng presumption of innocence,” the President had said.

“Give me a clear proof na talagang he was there on the take..I have to follow the procedural due process and allow him time to answer, (respect his) right to be heard. It’s given to the criminals, to the kidnappers. It should be given to the general of the Philippine National Police. Because under the rules, we’re all equal,” he added.

Albayalde was the Pampanga police chief when 13 anti-narcotics policemen conducted an operation in November 2013 that was later found to be irregular. He was relieved over command responsibility.

The 13 cops, who are allegedly ninja cops, were dismissed, but the dismissal order was not implemented and they were simply demoted.

Ninja cops, or officers who recycle or sell illegal drugs that were confiscated during their operations, are being investigated by the Senate

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino had told the Senate that Albayalde "intervened" in the implementation of the dismissal order against the 13 cops.

Albayalde denied Aquino’s claim although he admitted that he called, but only to inquire about the status of the case.

Albayalde was then the regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office while Aquino was the Central Luzon Police Regional Office chief.

Asked if Albayalde still has his trust and confidence, Duterte said, “He’s still there (as PNP chief). Just give me proof. Kasi, abogado ako (Because I’m a lawyer). You know, there’s a legal maxim that we have to follow: Guilt is personal. Yan ang problema. That is why you have to hear before you condemn.”

“In response to the President Duterte’s continued trust and confidence in my leadership of the PNP, let me express my deepest gratitude even as I profess my continued faithful service to our country and people,” said Albayalde.

Duterte said he has yet to choose Albayalde’s successor, who is set to retire on November 8.

Meanwhile, Albayalde said he ordered a thorough re-investigation of the cases against the 13 cops.

Albayalde said he instructed the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to take the lead in reviewing the administrative cases of the 13 cops led by Major Rodney Baloyo.

"The DIDM is instructed to coordinate with the PNP-Internal Affairs Service to initiate possible summary dismissal proceedings against these errant personnel. To complement this effort, the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management has been given specific instructions to ensure that all personnel involved will remain accounted for at the Administrative and Holding Units to ensure their availability to face investigation," he said.

“No stone will be left unturned and there will be no sacred cows in this investigation. I am serving notice to all PNP units and personnel to fully cooperate with the Department of Justice for the reopening or review of the case, as well as the inquiry by the different PNP investigating bodies by making available all necessary records that will be required, including testimonies of personnel,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)

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