Duterte had wanted Albayalde to take terminal leave — Go

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte had wanted resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde to only take a “terminal leave” until his scheduled retirement next month, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go revealed Monday.

Go said that after the Cabinet meeting last Friday, Duterte suggested to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that Albayalde should take his terminal leave amid the investigation on his alleged involvement in the suspected drug recycling in a buy-bust operation in Pampanga in 2013.

“Ang discussion ni President at Secretary Año kung ano makakabuti base sa panahon na ‘yun para sa organisasyon [The President and Secretary Año had discussed what would be the best for the organization],” Go told reporters in an interview at the Senate.

When asked what was the resolution of the meeting between Duterte and Ano, the senator answered: “‘Yung to advise Albayalde to leave muna. You can call that terminal leave [The advise to Albayalde was to take a terminal leave].”

“Magleave ka na until you step down on the date of your retirement [Take your terminal leave until you step down on the date of your retirement],” Go further said.

Albayalde announced on Monday morning that he has stepped down as the country’s top cop and went on a “non-duty status.”

READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief

Go revealed that according to Año, it was the intention of Albayalde to resign his post even before the Interior Secretary met with Duterte.

“Nagtugma naman po yung base sa pinag-usapan ni General Albayalde at ni Secretary Año. ‘Yun po ang plano ni Gen. Albayalde [to resign] [The statements of Albayalde and Año concurred. That was the plan of Albayalde, to resign],” the senator said. /jpv