Naming Albayalde in drug recycling complaint up to CIDG—DOJ

MANILA, Philippines—It’s up to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) whether to charge outgoing PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde alongside 13 so-called “ninja” cops in a case of drug recycling in Pampanga six years ago, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday, Oct. 18.

In a statement, Guevarra said “if there’s any basis” to include Albayalde in the charges, the CIDG could amend the complaint currently being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Sen. Richard Gordon, whose committee investigated the drug recycling case, said Albayalde was “very liable” for graft by protecting the 13 police officers involved in a now controversial drug raid in Pampanga when Albayalde was still the province’s police chief.

Albayalde was liable for graft, according to a report of the Senate blue ribbon committee presented by Gordon, “by reason of his seniority, his moral superiority and his competence.”

READ: Albayalde liable for graft over 2013 Pampanga drug ops — Gordon

Guevarra said in his statement that if a respondent would be added to the CIDG complaint, he or she “will be given sufficient opportunity to submit his counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence as part of procedural and substantive due process.”/TSB