Ex-PNP chief Albayalde welcomes DOJ’s findings; says he has ‘clear’ conscience

In a statement on Friday, January 17, ex-Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said he “welcome[s] this development as the chance to once and for all clear my name in the proper forum.” (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)

The country’s former top cop said he is ready to defend himself in the court after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to charge him and 12 other police officers for violation of the anti-graft law over the controversial 2013 anti-drug operation in Pampanga.

In a statement on Friday, January 17, ex-Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said he “welcome[s] this development as the chance to once and for all clear my name in the proper forum.”

“Finally. I will have my day in court. My conscience remains clear and I am confident that the truth will bear me out in the end,” he added.

This came a day after the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors recommended to charge Albayalde with graft after it found out his supposed non-implementation of an order penalizing the cops who were involved in the drug operation that took place when he was the Pampanga police chief.

Meanwhile, the 12 other policemen, including Police Superintendent Rodney Baloyo, were also indicted for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, specifically for misappropriation/misapplication of confiscated drugs, planting of evidence, and delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases.

The panel said the police officers misappropriated drugs when they declared that only 36.60 kilograms of shabu were seized but the subsequent police investigation indicated that about 200 kilograms of the illegal drug were actually recovered.

It added that the police officers claimed that they obtained only P300,000 from the operation, contrary to the evidence which showed that they seized P10-million.

Moreover, the cops, the DOJ said, did not declare a Toyota Fortuner vehicle which they also seized during the operation.

The findings will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Responding to this, the PNP said it respects the findings of the DOJ, but insisted that their former chief was “innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, for his part, said Albayalde’s indictment should serve as a warning to the “unscrupulous members of the police force involved in the recycling of seized illegal drugs.”

“You may not be caught today or tomorrow but, certainly, the law will catch up with you and send you behind bars. The justice system may be slow but no one can escape from it,” Drilon stressed.