IAS chief sees whitewash in past probe on 13 'ninja cops'

The chief of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) believes there was whitewash in the investigation on the 13 policemen involved in the controversial drug raid in Pampanga in 2013.

Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday, Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said the IAS would file new administrative cases next week against the 13 policemen who are now on floating status.

"Ayon sa latest na lumabas sa Senado ay meron (whitewash)... pero kami hindi na namin pakialaman 'yan kasi 'yun ay masyadong technicality," Triambulo said.

"Puwede i-challenge 'yun on technical grounds because of the Supreme Court jurisprudence. Ang gagawin na lang namin [ay] new case... ifa-file namin 'yun. Ang kailangan lang namin 'yung mga testimony or transcript doon sa Congress para umusog na 'yung kaso," he added.

The 13 Pampanga policemen had been linked to the alleged mishandling of evidence and failure to turn over the entire 200 kilos of illegal drugs confiscated from a drug buy-bust in Mexico, Pampanga in 2013.

Former PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde was the provincial director of Pampanga when the operation took place.

The dismissal order against the 13 police officials were not implemented. They were only demoted by one rank by Major General Amador Corpus in October 2017.

Albayalde was accused of intervening in the implementation of the dismissal order. A former police official testified during the Senate inquiry that Albayalde admitted to him receiving a small portion from the operation.

Due to the controversy, Albayalde relinquished his post as PNP chief, days before his November 8 retirement. —KBK, GMA News