Albayalde says politics not behind sacking of EPD chief

Politics did not influence the decision to relieve former Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Alfred S. Corpus from his position, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde said Thursday.

Albayalde made the statement amid rumors that Corpus was sacked because of his supposed close ties to former President Benigno Aquino III and his family.

The PNP chief insisted Corpus’ transfer was a command decision by the PNP leadership and was not influenced politically.

“It’s a decision from the national police headquarters naman yan, from NHQ [National Headquarters]. It did not come from anybody. Walang outside influence doon (There’s no outside influence),” Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Corpus was transferred to the Office of the Chief PNP on Tuesday after serving as EPD director for 12 days.

Corpus was assigned as acting chief of the EPD on June 14 after replacing Chief Supt. Reynaldo Biay, who was assigned to the Directorate for Intelligence.

Corpus served as the provincial director of Aquino’s hometown in Tarlac for two years and also served as chief of the Police Security and Protection Group, the PNP’s unit that provides security to VIPs.

Last month, Albayalde said unlike in previous administrations, politicians under the Duterte administration do not intervene in PNP promotions and assignments.

“Dito [sa ilalim ni President Rodrigo Duterte], even if you relieved a regional director, walang pakialam yung ating Presidente provided that that’s your decision at alam niya na yun ang tama na decision,” he added.

(Here, under President Duterte, even if you relieved a regional director, our president does not care provided that that’s your decision and he thinks that it is the right decision.)  /muf

READ: No political intervention in PNP promotions, reassignments – Albayalde