BREAKING: DOJ indicts ex-PNP chief Albayalde for graft

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde during the Senate hearing on the so-called ninja cops on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found probable cause to pursue a graft and corruption case against former Philippine National Police chief General Oscar Albayalde.

In a DOJ resolution, the case against Albayalde will be endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman, which has the primary jurisdiction over crimes falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.

“The Panel found probable cause to charge Albayalde with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations in connection with the official duties of the latter, and for causing any undue injury to any party, including the government,” reads DOJ’s statement.

The DOJ panel anchored its finding on Albayalde’s non-implementation of an order, which sought to penalize the police officers involved in the questioned drug operation.

Aside from Albayalde, indicted for graft are the following policemen: Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Raymundo Louie Juico Baloyo IV; Lieutenant. Joven Bagnot De Guzman, Jr.; Master Sergeant Jules Lacap Maniago; Master Sergeant Donald Castro Roque; Master Sergeant Ronald Bayas Santos, Master Sergeant Rommel Muñoz Vital; Master Sergeant Alcindor Mangiduyos Tinio; Staff Sergeant Dindo Singian Dizon; Staff Sergeant Gilbert Angeles De Vera; Staff Sergeant Romeo Encarnacio Guerrero, Jr.; Master Sergeant Eligio Dayos Valeroso; and Master Sergeant Dante Mercado Dizon.

Baloyo and the other police officers are also indicted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act specifically for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated drugs, planting of evidence, and delay and bungling in the prosecution of drugs cases.

The 12 policemen were also indicted for qualified bribery.

Edited by KGA