Makabayan bloc to Albayalde: Resign now
MANILA, Philippines — The progressive House Makabayan bloc demanded Thursday the immediate resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde and others implicated in “ninja” cops controversy or those who are reselling illegal drugs seized by police.
In House Resolution No. 416, Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, Ferdinand Gaite, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said credible investigation necessitates the resignation of those implicated to “remove any suspicion of a whitewash or that the investigation has been influenced, evidence has been tampered or suppressed, and witnesses have been pressured.”
The opposition lawmakers also called on pertinent offices including the Office of the Ombudsman to file appropriate charges against all those found to be involved in the illegal drug recycling.
“As part of the measures towards attaining justice for the thousands of victims of irregular tokhang operations, all those responsible must as soon as possible be held accountable with the full force of the law,” they said.
Castro, in a separate press conference, said: “Ang dami pong mga namatay sa pangalan ng war on drugs ni President Duterte.”
(Many have died in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.)
“Sa report ng PNP, 6,000 ‘yan pero nakita naman natin walang due process… Kaya talagang failure at fake talaga ‘yung war on drugs… kaya dapat immediately mag-resign na si Gen. Albayalde,” she added.
(Based on Philippine National Police’s report, around 6,000 have died in anti-illegal drug operations without due process… That’s why this drug war is fake and a failure… Another reason why Gen. Albayalde should immediately resign.)
At previous Senate hearings, former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong accused Albayalde of intervening in the case of the latter’s 13 men in relation to drug recycling in 2013. Albayalde was then chief of Pampanga PNP.
READ: Magalong drops Albayalde’s name in ‘ninja cops’ probe
Earlier today, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino also admitted that Albayalde had asked him not to implement the dismissal order against 13 Pampanga policemen.
READ: Aquino retracts: Albayalde asked me not to implement dismissal order vs Pampanga cops
Even Sen. Richard Gordon believes Albayalde should consider quitting as the country’s top cop and main implementer of the Duterte administration’s drug war. /je
READ: Gordon says Albayalde should consider quitting
