DILG vows thorough, fair probe on Albayalde amid 'ninja cops' issue

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday vowed a "thorough and fair" investigation on the allegations against Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde, its spokesman said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a forum in Quezon City, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the agency still supports Albayalde despite the issues hounding him and the police force.

"I think we can just presume regularity on that part. Of course, we support the PNP chief but that does not mean that we won't do a thorough and fair investigation," Malaya said.

"I can assure the public na that is exactly we will do. It is important that the credibility of the Philippine National Police and the entire department is protected and preserved," he added.

According to Malaya, the DILG's probe is independent from the Senate's inquiry on the issue involving Albayalde. However, he said the results of the investigation of the Senate blue ribbon and justice committees will be taken into account by the DILG.

"We are also awaiting the results of the committee report that will come out from the Senate investigation because these statements are made under oath before a government body," Malaya said.

Albayalde, who is set to retire on November 8, is accused of intervening in the dismissal of his former subordinates at the Pampanga police office being linked to the alleged recycling of seized illegal drugs in 2013.

Albayalde was the Pampanga provincial director at that time.

Albayalde admitted that he asked then-PNP Region 3 Regional Director Aaron Aquino about the status of the case of the 13 cops, but insisted that he had no intention to influence Aquino, currently the head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Meanwhile, Malaya refused to provide further details on the probe on Albayalde, noting that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año will make the announcements when he comes back from Russia.

The DILG chief is part of Duterte's delegation in the five-day official visit to Russia.

"Pagbalik niya from Russia, he will make the necessary announcements. Ang puwede ko lang sabihin, it will be fair to all... fair to the chief PNP, fair to the public, fair to those interested to the issue," Malaya said. —KBK, GMA News