Albayalde questions timing of Magalong’s accusations

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde questioned on Tuesday the timing of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in linking him to an alleged irregular anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013.

Albayalde said Magalong, who was the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during the time, had the power to investigate Albayalde, especially when Magalong eventually became the director for investigation and detective management of the PNP.

READ: Magalong drops Albayalde’s name in ‘ninja cops’ probe

“I was in floating status in 2014. He had all the power and authority. Why did he not file a case against me in 2014 when he was holding a key post in the PNP? Why now that I am PNP chief?” Alabayalde, speaking partly in Filipino said, said in an interview with DZMM.

“They had all the time during their time. Why do you have to wait for six years before you say that?” he added.

Albayalde said, however, he was not sure as to why his name was being dragged in the alleged irregular anti-drug operation in Mexico, Pampanga, which took place in November 2013.

He was Pampanga provincial police director then and was relieved from his post for command responsibility in March 2014.

He also said he did not know if the issue was related to his retirement on Nov. 8 when he would reach the mandatory retirement age of 56. /atm

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