New PNP chief to keep, expand counter-intel unit

“The CITF will definitely remain. If needed, we will expand it and complement it with all the counterintelligence units of the PNP,” Albayalde told reporters on his first day as head of the national police. (Photo: Philippine National Police)

MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said Friday he is keen on retaining the PNP’s Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF), which goes after rogue policemen, and may even expand it.

“Yung CITF natin will definitely remain. Kung kailangan palakihin natin yan. It will be complemented by all the counterintelligence units of the PNP (The CITF will definitely remain. If needed, we will expand it and complement it with all the counterintelligence units of the PNP),” Albayalde told reporters on his first day as head of the national police.

The CITF, led by Senior Supt. Jose Chiquito Malayo, was formed by former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa early during his term, drawing members from the Special Action Force (SAF) and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) to go after rogue cops.

The CITF was formed shortly after the involvement of policemen in the killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo.

“Meron kaming existing CI (counterintelligence) divisions and sections down to the provincial level. Itong mga CI personnel they have to do their job. Sila actually ang dating nagbabantay dyan, especially coming from the IG [Intelligence Group] (These CI personnel, they have to do their job. They are the ones actually on watch here, especially those coming from the IG)”, Albayalde said.

He noted that IG will eventually get an upgrade.

Albayalde said he is particularly concerned with weeding out the misfits among the field personnel of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG), which has reportedly been involved in systematic extortion activities from public utility vehicle terminals in the country.

“There is no sacred cow dito sa counter intelligence natin and coming from the highway patrol, especially ang highway patrol na very vulnerable sa kotong. Kung masusundan natin, we will be talking with the highway patrol, kasi yan ang araw-araw na nakikita ng mga tao din natin. Mga kababayan natin sa kalsada. Very important na itong mga HPG personnel, they perform their duty with utmost integrity (There is no sacred cow here and coming from the highway patrol, since that unit is very vulnerable to extortion. They are the ones whom people have regular contact with, our countrymen on the road. So it’s very important that the HPG personnel perform their duty with utmost integrity),” Albayalde said.