Palace on raps vs. Albayalde: Let the law take its course

Malacañang on Monday weighed in on the filing of criminal complaint against resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde over the controversial anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013.

“If they feel they have a case against anyone then they can file it. Let the law take its course,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

Albayalde was included in the amended complaint that was forwarded by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to the Department of Justice.

The former top cop faced charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and anti-graft law as well as falsification of public documents and dereliction of duty.

The former PNP chief is the 14th respondent in the complaint that originally sought the prosecution, for drug offenses, of 13 police officers allegedly involved in a controversial operation in Mexico, Pampanga in November 2013, a supposed case of policemen “recycling” illegal drugs seized in legitimate operations.

Albayalde was the chief of the Pampanga police at the time.

Prosecutors dismissed the original complaint against the 13 policemen, but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra recently ordered a reinvestigation following a Senate investigation that revealed alleged irregularities in the operation.

It was also revealed during the Senate inquiry that Albayalde allegedly received a portion from the drug bust.

But Albayalde said that despite the Senate hearings conducted, no hard evidence was ever presented showing that he was involved in the questioned drug raid. —KBK, GMA News