PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac on Wednesday, October 23, expressed belief that the PNP has a “strong case” against the 13 alleged ninja cops and resigned PNP chief Oscar Albayalde over the 2013 Pampanga operations.
“Well hind natin masasabi na ito ay minadali. Alalahanin natin na ang naging pagdinig ng Senado ay inabot ng mahigit dalawang linggo at ang CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) natin ay constantly na nakamonitor sa nangyayari doon sa pagdinig kaya nung nagsampa ng amended complaint ang CIDG, ito ay base sa masusing pag-aaral at sa ebidensyang hawak ng CIDG kaya nais pabulaanan ‘yung napapaulat na ito ay haphazardly prepared,” he said.
“Tama yun (naniniwala tayo na we have a strong case). ‘Yung CIDG natin ay hindi gagawa or magsasampa ng kaso nang hindi handa kaya ang mga ebidensya na hawak nila ay base sa mga dokumento at mga testimony at ito ay pinaniniwalaan natin na tatayo sa korte,” he added.
On October 21, the CIDG filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal charges against Albayalde and 13 former Pampanga cops over the November 2013 drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga which was found to be irregular.
Albayalde was the provincial director when the operation was conducted.
The complaint was first filed against the 13 policemen in 2014, but this was dismissed by the DOJ in 2017.
Albayalde was included in the amended October 21 complaint following the revelations made during the Senate investigation on ninja cops.
Albayalde allegedly intervened in the implementation of a dismissal order against the 13 cops. He also allegedly admitted to having benefited from the illegal activities of his men.
Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon and justice committees which conducted the investigation, and former CIDG director and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who testified against Albayalde and the 13 cops, said they were worried that the cases are “weak” and may again be dismissed. (SunStar Philippines)