MANILA, Philippines — Gen. Oscar Albayalde is now “recovering” from the controversy involving “ninja cops” as he announced Monday that he has stepped down as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said.
Albayalde, in a sudden move, announced during the regular flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame that he has relinquished his post as head of the 190,000-strong police force and that he has decided to go on non-duty status.
This ended what should have been his smooth exit as the 22nd chief of the PNP on November 8, which is only less than a month from his decision to vacate the PNP top post.
READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief
Asked in a chance interview how Albayalde is doing after going through a seemingly roller coaster ride of controversies, Banac said the former PNP chief is currently coping up.
“Gen. Albayalde is recovering. He is spending time with his family. He’s preparing for his retirement on November 8,” Banac said, adding that this move of Albayalde is his “personal decision.”
“Katulad ng pinahayag ni Gen. Albayalde, labis na naapektuhan ang kanyang personal na buhay maging ang kanyang pamilya. Maaaring isa rin ito sa mga naging dahilan para talagang mag-decide na siya na magbitiw na sa pwesto,” added Banac.
(Like what Gen. Albayalde said, his personal life and his family were really affected. Maybe this is one of the reasons why he decided to step down from his post.)
Just on Friday, a teary-eyed Albayalde shared to reporters that his children are “suffering” and “bleeding” as his name is implicated in the questionable anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013, when he was asssigned as its provincial police director.
Banac also answered in the affirmative when asked if pressure from testimonies against Albayalde might have been one of the reasons why that latter had decided to vacate his position.
He explained that with Albayalde being on non-duty status, he will not perform any further tasks as a police official.
All police officers are allowed to go on non-duty status three months before their actual retirement, so they can secure all clearances from the PNP and immediately receive retirement benefits. Banac said Albayalde could be the first PNP chief to avail this privilege.
He added Albayalde may opt not to receive retirement honors when he officially leaves the PNP in November. /jpv
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