MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said the resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde was an appropriate move but noted that it will not serve as a “closure” on the “ninja cops” controversy.
In a statement after Albayalde relinquished his post as PNP chief, Hontiveros said “his decision to step down was appropriate” given the “gravity of accusations” hurled against him.
“However, this is not closure. Ang desisyon ni General Albayalde na magbitiw sa kanyang pwesto ay hindi nangangahulugan na tapos na ang isyu ukol sa mga ‘ninja cops’ at iba pang tiwaling pulis na sangkot sa pagbebenta ng droga at katiwalian,” said Hontiveros, who, nevertheless, welcomed Albayalde’s decision to relinquish his post.
(However, this is not closure. The decision of General Albayalde to resign does not mean that the issue regarding “ninja cops” and other scalawag policemen involved in drug recycling and corruption has reached its end).
In a speech before PNP personnel during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame, the country’s top cop said he spoke with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año over the weekend regarding the Senate inquiry that tackled the questionable anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013, when Albayalde was its provincial police director.
READ: BREAKING: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief
Albayalde reiterated he was not involved in the alleged irregularities in the said police operation.
The PNP chief had been accused of allegedly intervening with the dismissal case of his subordinates, who were charged for allegedly mishandling the evidence confiscated from the said drug sting.
“This is an important development in the people’s quest for truth, justice, and accountability,” Hontiveros went on.
“May this aid us all in our collective effort to continue to ferret out the truth, hold all responsible accountable and redeem the tarnished image and reputation of our police force,” she added.
Recycling officials
For his part, Senator Francis Pangilinan said that regardless of his resignation, Albayalde and other government officials who stepped down “because of links to illegal drugs, corruption, or incompetence/negligence” should “be charged for at the very least enriching themselves using their government office.”
READ: Gordon: Albayalde may still face charges even after retirement
Among the government officials Pangilinan was referring to were Nicanor Faeldon and Isidro Lapeña who both stepped down from their post as Bureau of Customs chief following separate shabu controversies.
“…The reality is: for a government that claims to be against illegal drugs and corruption, it has acted in the opposite direction and has in fact coddled the corrupt and those linked to illegal drugs,” Pangilinan said.
“Unti-unti nang lumalabas ang katotohanan na habang araw-araw ang patayan ng mahihirap, araw-araw rin ang pagkonsinti ng administrasyong ito sa mga sangkot sa katiwalian, ‘ninja cops,’ at pagpapalusot o pag-recycle ng iligal na droga,” he added.
(The truth is eventually coming out that with the deaths of poor individuals, the present government is continually tolerating those who are involved in corruption, ‘ninja cops,’ and the recycling of illegal drugs.)
“Kaya patuloy ang pang-aabuso sa pwesto: dahil hindi naman pinaparusahan ang malalaking taong nagkakasala. Actually, ni-re-recycle pa. Yung walang kalaban-laban lang ang kinakaya-kaya,” he further said.
(That is why the abuse in power remains: Because they are not penalizing the big ones who commit these misdeeds. Actually, they are even being recycled. Only those who are helpless are the ones being pushed back.) /jpv
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