Duterte on Albayalde’s fate: Let Senate finish the investigation first

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte opted not to comment on Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde’s supposed involvement in the “ninja cop” issue saying he should let the Senate finish its investigation first.

“In obedience to the separation of powers and respect of each other departments, I should allow the Senate to complete its investigation,” Duterte told reporters Tuesday before leaving Manila for his second trip to Russia.

After letting the Senate complete its investigation, Duterte said it should then be passed to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“The most proper thing to do which is in line with procedural due process is to await for the closure of the investigation by the Senate and when it’s forwarded to me since it is under, the police are under DILG, the bureau under Secretary Año,” Duterte said.

“I will not preempt Secretary Año. I will leave it to him to decide,” he 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 from seized illegal drugs during a raid in November 2013.

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

Albayalde, however, denied Magalong’s allegation saying he does not know the motive behind the latter bringing up the issue after six years./ac

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