MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde has denied receiving a relief order from President Rodrigo Duterte amid speculations that he could be among the high-ranking police officials involved in the drug recycling scheme.
Albayalde on Monday dismissed the issue as only a rumor and may have surfaced after his early testimonial parade held at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City over the weekend.
The PNP chief is set to retire on November 8.
“We just wait. Wala po [relief order], these are all tsismis,” he told reporters during the turnover of jurisdiction of the PNP Academy to the PNP at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
The outgoing PNP chief said he already spoke with the President after claims that he was among those named by former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in a Senate executive session on so-called ninja cops or police officers reselling confiscated illegal drugs.
He added that he also briefed the Chief Executive on the status of the investigation on ‘ninja cops’ and the campaign against illegal drugs.
“Hopefully this is not about politics. Ever since na noon pa, we would like the PNP to be isolated from politics. Basta ako po ay isang public servant and as the President said, we are all expendable,” Albayalde said.
The PNP chief on Tuesday attended the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the issue of ’ninja cops.’
Albayalde earlier said he was invited to the inquiry in his capacity as PNP chief and not due to speculations of his involvement.
He has since maintained innocence on his alleged involvement in the narcotics trade. — RRD (with details from Asher Cadapan Jr. and Benedict Samson)
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