Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino yesterday confirmed that Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde indeed called him up to ask him not to implement the order dismissing the 13 policemen who were involved in the drug buy-bust operation in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.
Aquino disclosed this at the continuation of the Senate hearing into the so-called “ninja cops.” He affirmed that even the PDEA is not spared from scalawags in uniform.
At the same time, Aquino bared the death threats his family is now receiving.
“Sir, I was in a deep quandary during the last hearing. I was thinking of my family who is now put in much deeper danger. A few days ago, I received a phone call from my friend who confirmed that some personalities who are plotting against my family,” Aquino said. “The exact words were, ‘Sir, pinaghahandaan nila ang pamilya mo’,” Aquino said.
The PDEA chief said that while he knew the risks his job entails, that report made him break down. “I know the pressure and challenges of my position as a drug enforcer in the country. But I literally broke down into small pieces hearing that information. Considering that my security escorts have also been recalled,” he said.
“I feel so helpless and defeated…Why will I gamble the safety of my family? I kept thinking about my daughters and my sons, the youngest being only 12 years old.”
But Aquino went on to confirm what he told the senators during the executive session at the Senate.
“Gen. Albayalde called me up to know the status of the case of (Supt. Rodney Raymundo) Baloyo and others, is the truth. But he also added, and I quote: ‘Sir, baka po puwede wag mo munang i-implement ang order. And then I asked him, ‘Bakit Oca?’ where he answered, ‘Kasi mga tao ko sila’,” Aquino stressed.
“It was never my intention to malign the PNP. The same agency which I served and protected for the past 36 years of my professional life. The PNP made me who I am today. Knowing the sad reality of recycling of illegal drugs, it does not make the PDEA or the PNP look bad or the worse. It means we have to exert all means to cleanse our ranks and put a stop the cycle,” Aquino said. “It also means that while we are battling illegal drug syndicates outside, we also need to launch an even greater battle to kill the demons inside our own backyards,” he stressed.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee yesterday resumed its probe into the anomalies in the Bureau of Corrections, New Bilibid Prisons, and the corruption issues hounding the Philippine National Police.
Senate probers led by Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon started off by asking about the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology about the catering contract for the food of prisoners.
Also present again in the hearing were Albayalde, former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Aquino.
Last Tuesday, the three officials faced off about the existence of the so-called ninja cops or police officers who are involved in the recycling of illegal drugs confiscated in anti-narcotics operations.
Gordon had earlier said it would be best if Albayalde should consider resigning from his post. The PNP chief is set to retire next month.
The senator made the call after Magalong and Aquino revealed how Albayalde intervened to prevent the 13 cops in the 2013 buy-bust operation in Mexico, Pampanga from being dismissed and instead be demoted one rank. (Hannah Torregoza)
