MANILA, Philippines — Senators have agreed to authorize the Senate committee on justice to disclose the contents of its executive session on policemen allegedly involved in the so-called “agaw-bato” scheme.
Seventeen of 24 senators on Tuesday voted in favor of neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s motion, authorizing the committee to reveal the contents of the executive session.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Risa Hontiveros were among those who voted yes to the motion but with reservations.
The identities of the involved policemen or “ninja cops” were reportedly disclosed during an executive session of the Senate committee on justice last week.
READ: Active PNP exec is ‘protecting cops’ involved in drug trade–Drilon
“There have been speculations circulating around regarding the alleged involvement of the chief PNP (Oscar) Albayalde in the so-called ‘agaw-bato’ scheme,” Dela Rosa said.
“In fairness to General Albayalde, I’d like to move for this body to authorize the blue ribbon committee to disclose the contents of the executive session that transpired during the last Senate committee hearing regarding the GCTA (good conduct time allowance) anomaly,” he added.
Dela Rosa said it would be “very unfair” to Albayalde to be dragged into the controversy if there was no truth to his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“Since the executive session was made during the GCTA hearing and to be fair to the ones being alluded to, I’d like to have the records or the contents of that executive be made available for those who are interested so that the truth shall prevail,” the neophyte senator also said. /kga