Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde was charged Monday before the Department of Justice (DoJ) over his connection with the 13 so-called “ninja cops” involved in the questionable 2013 anti-illegal drugs operations in Pampanga.
The name of Albayalde has been included in the names of respondents in the amended complaint filed by PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) before the DoJ special panel of prosecutors handling the re-investigation of the case.
Aside from the amended complaint, the PNP-CIDG presented additional evidence before the panel, including witnesses as well as the transcripts of the Senate hearings conducted over the “ninja cops” issue.
“Totality of the evidence shows that he (Albayalde) is probable liable,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Orsos, chief of the PNP-CIDG’s legal division, told reporters following the hearing of the panel.
“Kasama rin doon of course ‘yung mga admission sa Senate investigation,” he added.
Orsos also defended the PNP-CIDG’s decision not to file a separate complaint against Albayalde before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Kung ise-separate pa natin, it will take time pa. Dito na lang. Let the panel decide kung ano gagawin,” the PNP official explained.
With the filing of the amended complaint, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez, who chairs the panel, gave the respondents until November 5 to submit their respective counter-affidavits to refute the allegations against them.
The case concerns the 2013 illegal drugs operations in Mexico, Pampanga where members of the Pampanga Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force led by Baloyo seized around 200 kilograms of methamphethamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, P55 million in cash, and a Toyota Fortuner.
However, after the operation, the 13 policemen failed to account the confiscated items and even failed to prosecute alleged Chinese drug trader Johnson Lee, who was believed freed in exchange for a portion of the illegal drugs, the cash and the vehicle.
At that time, Albayalde was the police provincial director of Pampanga.
In its complaint, the PNP-CIDG recommended that the panel finds probable cause to indict Albayalde in court for violating Articles 171 (falsification by public officer) and 208 (negligence and tolerance) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The PNP-CIDG also recommended that Albayalde be indicted along with the 13 “ninja cops” with violation of Section 27 (failure to account for the seized drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Section 3, paragraph (e) of RA 3019 (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The 13 other respondents are Supt. Rodney Raymundo Louie Baloyo IV, Senior Inspector Joven De Guzman Jr., SPO1 Jules Maniago, SPO1 Donald Roque, SPO1 Ronald Bayas Santos, SPO1 Rommel Vital, SPO1 Alcindor Tinio, SPO1 Dante Dizon, SPO1 Eligio Valeroso, PO3 Dindo Dizon, PO3 Gilbert De Vera, PO3 Romeo Guerrero Jr., and PO2 Anthony Lacsamana. (Jeffrey Damicog)
