Albayalde denies hand in 2013 Mexico, Pampanga buy-bust

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday maintained that he did not have a hand on the case of the 13 Pampanga policemen, who were his former subordinates and who were involved in an alleged illegal drug buy-bust operation in 2013.

Albayalde said that he would’ve been charged administratively and criminally if there is even the slightest indication that he was involved in the irregular operation.

“After the investigation, very clear naman na wala sigurong nakita kasi I was never charged, both criminally and administratively [it’s very clear that they did not see anything because I was never charged, both criminally and administratively,]” Albayalde said during a Senate probe on the “ninja cops” issue.

“Otherwise kung mayroon silang nakita sa akin, even if I’m liable for command responsibility, I was supposed to be charged administratively and criminally also,” he added.

In 2014, the involved 13 Pampanga policemen in the 2013 buy bust in Mexico, Pampanga, were found guilty of grave misconduct for failing to account for all the confiscated evidence.

The involved police officers were initially ordered relieved but was only demoted pursuant to a motion for reconsideration filed in 2016.

Albayalde noted that he was also not charged for the Mexico, Pampanga buy-bust.

In 2014, Albayalde was relieved from his post as Pampanga police director for command responsibility for the drug sting conducted by his subordinates.   /muf