Joma: Albayalde out but drug lord ‘protector’ still in power

LUCENA CITY—Self-exiled communist party founder Jose Maria Sison said he saw no improvement in the government’s fight against drugs even following the resignation of Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde because “the supreme protector of drug lords remains in power.”

Sison, who is in self-exile in the Netherlands, said Albayalde’s ouster and replacement by another official “will not bring changes favorable to the people.”

“The supreme protector of drug lords remains in power,” Sison said in a statement.

Sison was not explicit who he was referring to as protector of drug lords but he had in the past accused President Rodrigo Duterte of involvement himself in the drug trade despite his brutal approach to the anti-drug campaign.

Malacanang and Duterte had repeatedly denied Sison’s accusation, describing the self-exiled communist leader as an ageing rebel out of touch with reality.

“The exposed criminality and corruption of police officers are a manifestation of the corrupt, rotten and mendacious character of the Duterte regime,” said Sison.

Sison said the campaign against drugs was just a ploy to allow those in power to take over the drug trade. The underworld narcotics industry had been aggravated “for the benefit of criminals in power.”

He said the “bogus” war on drugs was designed to just project an image of toughness and iron-fisted policy. Delfin T. Mallari Jr./TSB