Albayalde on ‘ninja cops’ issue: It has something to do with the next PNP chief

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde believes that the "ninja cops" controversy, in which his name is being dragged, is connected to his impending retirement and the next PNP chief.

"Probably, it has something to do with the person who wants to be the next PNP chief," Albayalde said in a television interview on CNN-Philippines.

"They will destroy my reputation, my integrity so that kapag ako ay nag-endorse sa Presidente, that's kiss of death already. This is politics probably in our organization," he added.

Albayalde has been accused of intervening in the dismissal of his former subordinates at the Pampanga police office over alleged recycling of seized illegal drugs in 2013. At the time, he was Pampanga provincial director.

The PNP chief has maintained innocence over the accusations being thrown against him. He admitted that his family is affected with the issue.

Albayalde, however, admitted that he called then PNP Region 3 chief Aaron Aquino to check the case status of the 13 policemen, who are now under floating status.

The nation's top cop denied that he tried to influence Aquino, currently the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously said he reserves judgment on the fate of Albayalde who is set to retire on November 8.

On Thursday, the Chief Executive said two "generals" remain engaged in the illegal drug trade. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News