Albayalde: PNP looking at sacked Bacolod cops’ cahoots

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking at the possibility that subordinates of the relieved Bacolod police officers were involved in their superiors’ fraudulent activities.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde made the revelation on Thursday after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a “full blown” investigation on the sacked Bacolod cops.

Duterte earlier announced the sacking of Bacolod City Police Office acting director, Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, and four other police officers for allegedly “protecting” the illegal drug trade in the city.

“Full blown investigation (ang gagawin) para malaman kung sino pa ang involved doon. Remember mga officers itong mga ‘to, probably meron din silang inuutusang iba kung totoo yung allegations laban sa kanila,” Albayalde told reporters in an interview.

“If we have to relieve more people there, then we will do it. Kung meron pang dapat imbestigahan doon, iimbestigahan natin,” he added.

During a speech in Bacolod, the President said: “In your involvement in drugs and making the people of Bacolod miserable, I am relieving and dismissing you from the service as of now, Senior Superintendent Francis Ebreo.”

Duterte then announced the dismissal of four other police officials.

“Then you have Superintendent Tayuan… And Superintendent Yatar… And there is Victor Paulino, police SI… Macapagal, you are out,” he said.

The PNP chief added that the President wants the axed police officials to face the probe.

“Ang utos satin ng Presidente is let them face the investigation. They were sacked of course, na-relieved sila sa pwesto, after that, they will face the investigation,” Albayalde said.

“The investigation actually has started already,” he added.  /muf