Is there a cop supporting Trillanes? ‘None,’ says Albayalde

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said he is confident that there is not a single officer in the PNP who is supporting Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on the issue of his arrest order.

“Wala. Wala [None. None]. I have repeatedly said over and over again actually na zero sa amin yan sa PNP [that it’s zero in the PNP],” he said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Police Chief Director Gen. Oscar Albayalde said there is “no need” for a loyalty check within the PNP on the arrest order against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. He said the police will remain loyal to the Constitution, the administration, and to the Filipinos. @inquirerdotnet

— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) September 12, 2018

Albayalde expressed confidence on the loyalty of police officers even as Trillanes earlier claimed that some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been expressing their support and have been relaying “critical information” to him about his looming arrest.

READ: Trillanes says military ‘extremely bothered’ by order for his arrest

“Wala tayong namomonitor na kahit na giving support in any way dito kay Senator Trillanes [We have not monitored anyone giving support in any way to Senator Trillanes],” he said.

According to Albayalde, there is no need to remind his colleagues to enforce their duty on the issue, saying a loyalty check is not needed in their ranks.

He said police officers will “remain loyal to the Constitution, to the administration, and the Filipino people.”

Albayale, however, reminded that police officers who will disobey the law will be facing administrative sanctions.

“If you want to take sides, you can always resign from the service. ‘Yun siguro ang ibig sabihin ng ating Pangulo [That’s probably what the President meant],” he added, referring to members of the military whom President Rodrigo Duterte earlier challenged to join the camp of Trillanes.

Albayalde maintained that the PNP will wait for the court to issue the arrest warrant on Trillanes. /muf