Albayalde: PDEA chief Aquino’s security escorts recall after ‘ninja’ cops exposé just a coincidence

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said the recall of the security detail for Philippine Drug Enforce Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino after his revelation on ‘ninja cops’ was just a coincidence.

“No, actually that is just a coincidence,” Albayalde told reporters when asked about Aquino’s recent statement that his security detail was singled out amid the investigation involving ‘ninja’ cops.

“Ninja cops” are policemen involved in the recycling of illegal drugs seized during anti-drug operations.

On September 18, Aquino revealed that a Manila-based “drug queen” is buying confiscated drugs from these rogue cops.  Aquino further revealed that 53 policemen were included in the list of “ninja” cops. 

According to PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon, the PNP’s Police Regional Office 3 ordered the recall of Aquino’s security escort on September 18. 

But Albayalde said the PRO 3 explained that the recall of Aquino’s security detail was for the preparation for Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

However, Carreon said Aquino discovered that his security contingents are not being used for the SEA Games but for other purposes.

For this reason, Aquino made a request to President Rodrigo Duterte to reinstate the security detail, especially that he and his family were under ‘threat,’ Carreon said.

On September 26, Duterte approved Aquino’s request.

Request under process

Albayalde noted that Aquino’s security contingent of 15 is too much. He also noted that all these 15 came from the regional mobile group of PRO 3.

“Because of the SEA Games, kinailangan nila ng mga tao,” Albayalde said.

He said he already directed the Regional Director of PRO 3 to give Aquino at least four-manned security detail for the meantime.

“Of course, meron naman request si DG Aquino sa PNP and it’s now under process,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde pointed out that the PNP is also trying to be fair to prevent accusation of double standards for allowing Aquino to have ‘numerous’ security escorts.

“Baka naman, yung iba naman, then sasabihin nila may double standard na naman kami with 15 securities na nasa kanya,” Albayalde said. — RSJ, GMA News