Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año denied Tuesday that pressure was exerted on former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde to give up his position.
Even if Albayalde was being linked to the “ninja cops” controversy by some ex-police generals, Año confirmed that President Duterte still had complete trust and confidence in him.
He reiterated that Albayalde was never forced to give up his top PNP post as the President was satisfied with his performance.
Año confirmed that Albayalde, who was due for retirement on November 8, had already expressed his desire to give up his post last week.
He said he advised Albayalde to give it much thought after the embattled then PNP chief last Wednesday told him that he was already contemplating on relinquishing his post.
But last Saturday, Año said he had a serious talk with Albayalde and this was when the latter formally submitted his resignation letter.
CREDIBILITY DOUBTED
A lot of policemen have already doubted the credibility of Albayalde on whether or not he is tainted on the allegations of recycling of more than 160 kilos of shabu and in benefiting from the missing R60 million money from a freed drug lord in Pampanga in 2013.
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Officer-In-Charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said they could not blame those policemen since they are also entitled to their opinion based on the conduct of the Senate investigation on the issue of drug recycling.
“I would be honest, yes probably (some policemen doubted Albayalde’s credibility). Policemen are also human beings but then I said your opinion as an individual should be distinct and separate from the organization,” said Gamboa in an interview over ANC.
Albayalde quit his post as PNP Chief on Monday and went on Non-Duty Status until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on November 8 amid allegations that he benefitted from the anomalous drug raid in Pampanga in 2013 when he was still the provincial director.
A retired police general said Albayalde intervened in the dismissal of the 13 cops involved in the operation while another retired general said he admitted to getting a little from the drug raid.
Gamboa also admitted that the controversy that hounded Albayalde indeed affected the PNP.
“I admit it’s a very big challenge because we have to be honest that this really affected the PNP. First, you have to convince our personnel, the PNP as an organization. Second, the public and tell them look the PNP is still a very good police force and we can do our mandate,” said Gamboa.
“But we will prioritize to convince our personnel: Let’s not be haunted by this controversy and move on,” he added.
Amid the controversy, Gamboa said the 190,000-strong PNP can bounce back.
“This controversy that hounded us might be a temporary setback but I assure the public we can regain our stance and pursue our campaign,” said Gamboa. (Chito Chavez and Aaron Requenco)
