DOJ submits case vs. ‘ninja cops,’ Albayalde for resolution

In his 19-page rejoinder-affidavit filed Monday, Albayalde reiterated his claim of innocence in the charges arising from the November 2013 controversial anti-drug raid in Pampanga filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). (File photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The criminal cases against retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde and the so-called “ninja cops” will soon be decided by prosecutors from the Department of Justice who will determine whether to lodge the case in court after it was submitted for resolution Monday.

In his 19-page rejoinder-affidavit filed Monday, Albayalde reiterated his claim of innocence in the charges arising from the November 2013 controversial anti-drug raid in Pampanga filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“None of the allegations…point to any specific act, which I supposedly committed, that amounts to a crime or any element thereof. Indeed the complainant charges me only of supposed knowledge of–i.e. that I was “aware of” or “informed” of the anti-drug operation — but never participation in, the incident in question, “Albayalde said in his sworn statement.

Albayalded added he had no reason to doubt the truthfulness of Maj. Rodney Raymundo Louie Baloyo IV’s account of the events based on the presumption that the operation has been regularly performed and that he had had to rely to a reasonable extent on his subordinates and in their good faith in preparing the official report.

Lt. Col. Julius B. Sagandoy and Lt. Col. Dennis L. Wagas, both from the CIDG, earlier said in their affidavit that Albayalde had direct control and supervision over all the aspects of the operation until he was administratively relieved.

“Despite knowledge of the irregularities in the said operations, he remained mum and even applauded respondents Baloyo and his team for a job well done,” they added.

Albayalde was Pampanga police chief when Baloyo led the raid at the house rented by Johnson Lee located at Lots 21 and 22, Narra corner Waling Waling Streets, Woodbridge Subdivision, Lakeshore, Barangay Divisoria in Mexico town on November 29, 2013.

Albayalde was administratively relieved and placed on a floating status from his post in March 2014, four months after the incident.

The CIDG pointed out that Baloyo’s team failed to comply with the “chain of custody” required by the law and “failed to immediately mark the seized illegal drugs”.

Albayalde bowed out of the service on November 8 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said there is not enough proof to charge Albayalde administratively but said he is liable for command responsibility.