EMBATTLED Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde has opted to go on a “non-duty status” effective Monday, October 14, or about four weeks before his mandatory retirement, amid allegations that he protected and benefited from the drug recycling activities of his men.
Non-duty status is granted to retiring officers to give them time to comply with documentary requirements for their retirement, said Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge and deputy chief for administration.
Under the guidelines issued by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), a retiring officer who is granted non-duty status still reports to his office for daily attendance but is exempted from work.
Albayalde is set to retire on November 8, 2019, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
But turnover of command is scheduled for October 29, because President Rodrigo Duterte has to leave for Thailand to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
Albayalde announced his decision to opt for a non-duty status during Monday’s flag ceremony in Camp Crame.