Albayalde hopes Duterte’s trust not affected amid ‘ninja cops’ issue

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde hopes President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust in him will not be affected after he was tagged in the recent “ninja cops” issue or those who recycle or re-sell seized illegal drugs.

“I really don’t know. I hope not,” Albayalde said Tuesday in an ambush interview when asked if he is worried the issue will affect the President’s trust in him.

“Kasi alam naman ng Presidente kung pano talaga kami lumaban dito sa kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga (The President knows how hard we fought in the campaign against illegal drugs). This is just a matter of perception,” Albayalde added.

Albayalde’s name was earlier mentioned by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during the Senate hearing of the committee on justice.

Magalong alleged that Albayalde intervened in the case of the latter’s former men at the Pampanga police office who supposedly made millions off of seized illegal drugs during a raid in November 2013.

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

Albayalde denied Magalong’s allegation, saying he does not know what “personal gripes” the mayor has with him. /je