Albayalde bows out of PNP sans retirement honors

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde retired from the police service on Friday as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

But Albayalde requested not to be accorded retirement honors by the PNP, as was the custom for ranking generals, according to Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.

It was supposed to be conducted simultaneously with the change-of-command ceremony for the next PNP chief on October 29. But as of posting time, the ceremony for the next top police general has still to be scheduled.

All necessary documents have been processed months before his retirement so that his monthly pension and benefits will immediately take effect a day after he hangs his police uniform, Banac told INQUIRER.net.

Despite not receiving retirement honors, Albayalde was given a testimonial parade at the Philippine Military Academy on September 28, to commemorate the day the Sinagtala Class of 1986 walked out of their classrooms to protest the alleged involvement of two of their classmates in a hazing case in the 1980s.

Speaking before reporters shortly after his testimonial parade, Albayalde, who is facing allegations on the “ninja cops” controversy, said that he gave his best effort as the 22nd PNP chief.

“For myself, I did everything. I gave my best,” he said, before taking a short pause. “I gave my best.”

He said he would let the Filipino people judge the legacy he had left in the PNP.

“I don’t know what people will say. Whatever they will say, I will accept,” he said.

READ: Albayalde: ‘I did everything, I gave my best’

On October 14 or around two weeks later, he announced before gathered police officers at Camp Crame that he opted for a non-duty status, which technically meant that he had vacated his post as the top police official of the land.

READ: Albayalde steps down as PNP chief

He made this decision weeks before his retirement after he found himself and the PNP embroiled in the issue of alleged illegal drugs recycling,  particularly in the 2013 drug raid in Pampanga. In that operation, which was conducted when Albayalde was Pampanga provincial police chief, 13 policemen allegedly pilfered 160 kilograms of “shabu,” took a bribe, and arrested a fall guy.

Albayalde will still be able to enjoy the monthly pension of a retired four-star general and the monetary benefit equivalent to his accrued leaves, according to Banac.

He added that only a court decision will stop Albayalde from receiving these benefits.

No administrative case was filed against Albayalde following the investigation of the Pampanga drug raid by the National Police Commission. He is however facing a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs.  /muf

READ: PNP-CIDG files criminal charges vs Albayalde