In the midst of controversies involving him and his men in the Philippine National Police (PNP), General Oscar Albayalde stepped down from his Chief post ahead of his mandatory retirement.
Albayalde, the 22nd top cop who replaced former PNP chief, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, announced this during his flag-raising ceremony speech on Monday, October 14.
“After careful thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision to relinquish my post as Chief PNP, effective today and go on non-duty status,” he said, adding that since he will retiring compulsorily on November 8, “this will pave the way for the appointment of my replacement should the President so desire.”
It was in April 2018 when Albayalde took the helm of the PNP which makes his stint last for one year and six months. He continued saying in his speech that “I have served my country well” and that he thanks President Rodrigo Roa Duterte “for his trust and confidence and for giving me the opportunity to lead the Philippine National Police and serve the Filipino people.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the PNP personnel who helped him during his term for their “hard work, loyalty, and dedication to the service.”
“My last command as Chief PNP is for you to carry on in the service of our fellow Filipinos so that all of us may live and work in peace. Do not let these challenges demoralize or stray you from your path,” Albayalde said.
His relinquishing of his post came in the midst of the controversies involving a controversial case back in 2013 involving Pampanga police generals who were under his watch as the provincial police director. The cops were accused of recycling some 160 kilograms of shabu recovered from a buy-bust operation in Mexico, Pampanga on November 29, 2013.
The case is being reviewed in the upper chamber through back to back hearings with some solons urging Albayalde to resign.
Meanwhile, Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Albayalde’s classmate at the Philippine Military Academy took over the PNP leadership as its Officer-in-Charge (OIC).