Duterte defers action on ‘ninja cop’ controversy

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will wait for the Senate to conclude its investigation of the so-called “ninja cops” controversy before taking action on allegations hurled against Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo issued the statement after another retired general implicated Albayalde in the 2013 drug operation in Pampanga when the latter was the police chief of the province.

Thirteen police officers under Albayalde were accused of pilfering some 160 kilos of shabu seized from the raid.

On Wednesday, retired police official Rudy Lacadin told senators that Albayalde called him up to inquire about the case of the so-called “ninja cops,” police officers who recycle seized illegal drugs. Lacadin said Albayalde jokingly admitted that he only got a small portion of the loot.

Albayalde denied Lacadin’s allegations, saying he was being “crucified.”

The PNP chief, who is set to retire on November 8, reiterated that he would leave his fate to the President.

Panelo said Duterte would wait for the result of the Senate probe as well as the recommendations of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who would also conduct his own investigation.

Albayalde on Thursday said he would sue Lacadin for his damaging statement.

“Lacadin has a lot of explaining to do and he will have his day in court,” the PNP chief said in a statement.

“All those police officials ganging up on me have ill motives against me and obviously all worked with the previous administration,” he added.

Albayalde questioned the timing of the “attack and smear campaign” against him.

He pointed out that no hard evidence was ever presented to prove his direct involvement in the recycling of illegal drugs.

“All statements made remain allegations, insinuations, and unsubstantiated,” he said.

The President earlier said Albayalde should be accorded due process.

With a reports from DARWIN PESCO