Makabayan solons call for Albayalde’s resignation amid ‘ninja cops’ probe

Makabayan Bloc lawmakers want Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde and other concerned officials to resign amid their supposed role in the alleged drug recycling involving "ninja cops."

In House Resolution 416, the six-member Makabayan Bloc called for the immediate resignation of officials linked to the controversy, along with Albayalde, to make way for a credible investigation into the issue.

The resolution also urges pertinent offices, including the Office of the Ombudsman, to file appropriate charges against those who will be found involved in the practice.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, former chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong alleged that Albayalde intervened to relax the punishment of 13 police officers who figured in a questionable Pampanga drug bust in 2013.

Albayalde, who was acting police director in Pampanga at the time, allegedly asked then-PNP Central Luzon Regional Director Aaron Aquino, now the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, not to implement the dismissal order against the said police officials.

The PNP chief admitted that he called Aquino but only to check the case status.

ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro said Magalong's allegation puts to question the Duterte administration's war on drugs, which she branded as a "failure" and "fake."

"Nakita natin sa pagdinig ng Senado ngayon kaugnay ng mga ninja cops na 'yun palang PNP chief ay seemingly involved dito sa sinasabing ninja cops ay protektor ng mga ninja cops," she said.

"Malinaw naman na sinasabi ni Mayor Magalong na talagang merong iligal at criminal act dito pero 'yung dismissal order ay hindi naipatupad," she added.

Castro said thousands have already died in the name of the war on drugs without observing due process.

"Kaya kagabi nga nag-file kami ng House Resolution 416 calling General Albayalde to resign immediately to pave the way doon sa pag-iimbestiga, yung independent investigation, kaugnay nito. At talagang gumulong ang hustisya," she added. — BM, GMA News