DILG to continue investigation on ex-police chief

THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) probe on possible administrative charges against resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar D. Albayalde will push through, as opposed to Malacañang’s claim.

“Yes. It’s proceeding,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya told BusinessWorld via phone message on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the investigation on Mr. Albayalde’s possible administrative liability for the 2013 drug recycling case in Pampanga involving 13 cops will no longer proceed after he stepped down from the police top post Monday.

“Wala na kasi wala na s’ya sa (There will be no more investigation because he is no longer with the) PNP,” Mr. Panelo said in a televised briefing.

The DILG, which has supervisory authority over the PNP, has been conducting an independent investigation on the case, which Secretary Eduardo M. Año targets submitting to President Rodrigo R. Duterte this week.

“We expect the release before the end of the week,” Mr. Malaya said.

Mr. Año, for his part, clarified that the investigation is centered on the operation of the involved police officers, who have been dubbed “ninja cops,” as well as look into Mr. Albayalde’s involvement.

“Our investigation is about ninja cops. Titingnan namin kung may involvement s’ya (We will look into whether Mr. Albayalde had involvement), as alleged,” Mr. Año said in a separate phone message.

Mr. Albayalde has been accused by former police officers in a Senate probe of intervening in the proceedings of the dismissal order issued against the 13 ninja cops and having a take in the reselling of the drugs seized.

Mr. Panelo noted that criminal charges against Mr. Albayalde will depend on the Department of Justice’s findings based on the recommendation of either the Senate or the DILG. — Charmaine A. Tadalan