MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will lose authority to administratively investigate Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who had just stepped down as its chief once he officially retires from service, according said PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.
“There is a time framework [for the investigation], because once a police officer retires, then the PNP loses jurisdiction, and we cannot try him for error for administrative charge,” Gamboa, also the PNP deputy chief for administration, explained in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
Albayalde is set to retire on November 8 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief
The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), in coordination with the Internal Affairs Service, is currently conducting a probe on 13 police officers involved in the alleged drug recycling in Pampanga in 2013, when Albayalde was Pampanga police chief.
But according to Gamboa, the PNP would have to secure a clearance from the Office of the President first before investigating Albayalde — or any police officer with the rank of colonel and up — since he is an appointee of the Chief Executive.
Gamboa also assured the public of an impartial probe on the 13 policemen now that Albayalde has given up his post and went on non-duty status, which is similar to a terminal leave that all retiring police officers can avail.
“As OIC, if given the authority — I am still waiting for that for the Napolcom to issue — then we assure you it’s a hundred percent, graft-free, biased-free investigation. I am a lawyer, so I should know,” he said. /muf
READ: Gamboa appointed as officer-in-charge of PNP