PNP-IAS to file new raps vs 13 alleged Pampanga ninja cops

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) on Wednesday said it will file new complaints against the 13 Pampanga policemen involved in the controversial November 2013 drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga.

IAS chief Lawyer Alfegar Triambulo said they will file a case based on the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) results on reviewing evidence presented at the Senate hearing into the alleged “ninja cops” in the Pampanga drug sting.

“Ang DIDM po ang inatasang magreview. Kung ano ang findings nila kami po mag-summary hearing pero dahil doon sa mga bagong ebidensya na lumabas during Senate hearing kami mag initiate ng panibagong kaso laban doon sa 13 na yun,” Triambulo told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

(The DIDM was tasked to review. We were going to have a summary hearing on their findings but because of the new evidence that came out in the Senate hearing, we will initiate a new case against the 13.)

Triambulo noted that they will file a case on “irregularities in performance of duties” against the police officers.

‘Possible whitewash’

Asked if there is a possible whitewashing in the initial probe on the fate of the Pampanga policemen, Triambulo replied: “Ayon sa latest na lumabas sa Senado ay meron. Pero kami hindi na namin pakialamanan yan kasi yun ay masyadong technicality.”

(Based on the latest Senate investigation, there is whitewashing. But we will not intefere with that because that is too technical.)

The IAS head said the case could be challenged on “technical grounds because of the Supreme Court jurisprudence.”

In the Senate inquiry, it was discovered that the Mexico, Pampanga drug raid supposedly yielded 38 kilograms of crystal meth but after further investigation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the raid seized 200 kilograms and not 38 kilograms.

Resigned PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who was then Pampanga police chief, was implicated in his alleged involvement in the questionable drug raid. /je