Albayalde to Senate: Reveal names of ‘ninja cops’

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday called for the public revelation of the so-called ninja cops identified by Baguio City Mayor and former PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Benjamin Magalong during a Senate executive session.

Facing the Senate probe on police officers allegedly involved in the recycling and re-selling of seized illegal drugs, Albayalde said making public the list of names would present the PNP’s constituency with a balanced perspective.

“In the interest of fair play and impartiality, I am appealing to your honor’s high sense of justice to make public the record of the executive session that was requested during the previous joint committee hearing,” Albayalde said.

Magalong earlier revealed that corrupt police officers, also referresd to as “ninja cops” who recycle seized drugs, a racket known as “agaw bato,” do business with convicted drug lords locked up at the New Bilibid Prison.

READ: Magalong: Cops, convicted drug lords recycle ‘bato’

He divulged the names of alleged “ninja cops” during an executive session.

Albayalde was invited to the Senate inquiry amid speculations of his involvement in the racket.

READ: Albayalde, ninja cops will be invited to appear in Senate, says Gordon

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Justice and Human Rights and Blue Ribbon committees, said that even before Albayalde made his appeal, the Senate has already decided to publicize the transcript of records of the said executive session. /gsg