MANILA, Philippines—Malacanang on Thursday, Oct. 10, maintained a wait-and-see attitude on the case of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde, saying it was waiting for the Senate to finish an investigation of rogue police officers before deciding on Albayalde’s fate.
Salvador Panelo, presidential spokesperson and chief legal counsel, said President Rodrigo Duterte would act on allegations of Albayalde’s involvement with rogue cops and drug recycling after getting the findings and recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which exercises supervision over the PNP.
“Didn’t we say we’ll let the Senate investigate, have its own findings and also let the DILG Secretary conduct its own investigation until it comes up with its own findings and recommendation?” Panelo said at a press briefing.
“The President will act on that,” Panelo said.
Asked if the President had said anything about whether Albayalde should or should not resign, Panelo repeatedly said in Filipino: “None. I haven’t heard anything.”
Duterte earlier said he would wait for the Senate report.
READ: Duterte on Albayalde’s fate: Let Senate finish the investigation first
READ: Duterte wants ‘clear proof’ vs Albayalde in ‘ninja cops’ case
New revelations at the Senate hearing on Albayalde’s alleged involvement in so-called ninja, or rogue cops, were made by retired police officer Rudy Lacadin, former deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Lacadin told the Senate that Albayalde, as then head of the Pampanga police, called him up to inquire about his investigation of the November 2013 drug raid in Mexico town, Pampanga.
READ: Lacadin implicates Albayalde in 2013 drug sting in Pampanga
Albayalde denied he interfered in the investigation.
READ: Lacadin ‘has a lot of explaining to do’ – Albayalde