MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has “agreed” with a major revamp at the Philippine National Police (PNP) ahead of his appointment of a new PNP Chief.
The revamp came as some policemen, including former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, are facing charges for allegedly recycling illegal drugs seized from operations.
READ: ‘Major revamp’ implemented in PNP
On October 14, Albayalde resigned as PNP chief, weeks ahead of his retirement on November 8 following alleged irregularities in anti-drug operations during his term as chief of Pampanga Police Provincial Office
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte “agreed” with the recommendation of revamping PNP during the last joint PNP-AFP command conference in Malacañang last week.
“He (Duterte) agreed with the revamp. That’s good for the PNP, any revamp will always be good for an organization after a while because mahirap ‘yung nagkakaroon na kayo ng ugat doon sa mga posisyon ninyo,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Meanwhile, Panelo said it is up to the court to determine whether Albayalde was liable over the alleged drug recycling by so-called ninja cops.
“Ninja cop” is a conversational term for law enforcers who pilfer and profit from illegal drugs that were seized from police operations.
On Monday, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed a criminal complaint against Albyalde.
READ: PNP-CIDG files criminal charges vs. Albayalde
“From the very start, we said if they feel they have a case against anyone, then they can file it and let the law take its course,” Panelo said when sought for comment. /kga