Albayalde runs to province mate Estelito Mendoza for ‘legal aid’

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde is seeking "legal assistance" from a province mate amid accusations that he was involved in an anomalous drug raid in which a drug lord was allegedly allowed to flee and almost 200 kilos of confiscated shabu were supposedly not declared. 

The fellow Kapampangan from whom Albayalde is seeking help is Estelito Mendoza, one of the country's eminent lawyers who successfully defended such personalities as former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.

Mendoza is also a former Solicitor General and Secretary of Justice.

According to a photo release from his office, Albayalde is seeking Mendoza's help as he plans to file charges against former generals who had allegedly gave “false” testimony against him in a Senate inquiry.

In an ambush interview at the sidelines of an event in Silang, Cavite, Albayalde said Mendoza has volunteered to extend legal assistance to him. According to the PNP chief, the legal assistance would be free.

Asked what case will be filed against the former generals, he said it is still being studied.

“We paid him a visit. He’s very much willing to give legal advice, ‘yung kaniyang team dito sa posibleng legal case na puwedeng ifile dito sa mga nag-aakusa sa akin,” Albayalde said.

“I give the case folder at meron naman siyang mga instructions. ‘Yung legal naman namin andoon din,” he added.

Albayalde underscored that the former generals should be held responsible over the accusations thrown against him.

“They should know better kaysa sa paggawa ng false accusations. Definitely somebody here is lying and definitely it’s not me,” the PNP chief said.

Albayalde, who is set to retire on November 8, was accused of intervening over the dismissal of his former subordinates over a controversial drug buy-bust operation in Pampanga in 2013.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong Jr. had linked Albayalde to the ninja cops controversy. Albayalde was the provincial director of Pampanga when a supposed drug recycling scheme by cops happened in the province.

Meanwhile, then Police Regional Office 3 chief Aaron Aquino earlier said Albayalde had supposedly told him to hold the implementation of the dismissal order against the 13 cops, who are now placed under floating status.

On the other hand, then Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) deputy director for operations Rudy Lacadin bared also in a Senate hearing that Albayalde told him that the latter only got a small portion on the anti-drugs operation.

Albayalde has maintained innocence over the issue, noting that there is no hard evidence that will show his involvement in the drug raid in Pampanga.

Albayalde warned that Lacadin has a lot of explaining to do and would have his day in court. —NB/LDF, GMA News