DOJ just did its job on Albayalde’s case: Palace

“The DOJ just did its job,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a text message. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang said Friday the Department of Justice (DOJ) merely did what it believes is right on the case of retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde who was indicted for graft over the questionable 2013 anti-drug raid in Pampanga.

“The DOJ just did its job,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a text message.

Panelo said Albayalde is still considered innocent unless a competent court rules otherwise.

He said the Palace would let the legal process run its course in Albayalde’s case.

Panelo also noted that the former top cop could seek legal remedies to challenge his indictment.

“(Retired) Gen. Albayalde will now have a forum to address the charge. He can avail of all legal remedies. The Constitution accords him the presumption of innocence until a competent court finds him guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Let the law take its course. Let the courts render its judgment in accordance with (the) law,” he said.

Panelo also said the administration remains steadfast against illegal drugs, as well as police officers who abuse their authority.

On Thursday, a panel of state prosecutors ordered the filing of criminal charges against Albayalde and 12 others over the controversial police anti-drug operation in Pampanga in November 2013.

The panel of prosecutors who re-investigated the case found probable cause to charge Albayalde with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act due to his non-implementation of an order penalizing the police officers involved in the assailed drug operation.

Also indicted were Supt. Rodney Raymundo Louie Juico Baloyo IV; Insp. Joven Bagnot de Guzman, Jr.; Senior Police Officers 1 Jules Lacap Maniago, Donald Castro Roque, Ronald Bayas Santos, Rommel Muñoz Vital, Alcindor Mangiduyos Tinio, Eligio Dayos Valeroso, and Dante Mercado Dizon; and Police Officers 3 Dindo Singian Dizon, Gilbert Angeles de Vera, and Romeo Encarnacion Guerrero Jr.

Albayalde, former Pampanga provincial police director, was accused of lobbying against the order to dismiss 13 Pampanga cops allegedly involved in the recycling of seized illegal drugs from a 2013 police anti-drug operation against a suspected Chinese drug lord in Mexico town.

One of the 13, PO2 Anthony Lacsamana, was cleared of charges due to insufficiency of evidence.

In October last year, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the reinvestigation of the case, after the original complaint lodged against Baloyo’s group was dismissed by the then investigating prosecutor due to alleged lack of evidence.