Guevarra: DOJ to conduct ‘fair, thorough’ probe of criminal raps vs. Albayalde

The Department of Justice (DOJ) vowed to fairly and thoroughly investigate charges against resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.

The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has included Albayalde as a respondent in a criminal complaint over a controversial anti-drug operation involving his men in Pampanga in 2013, when he was provincial police chief.

Albayalde is accused of misappropriating confiscated drugs in violation of the dangerous drugs law, graft, falsifying public documents, and failing to prosecute a team of police officers allegedly involved in the "recycling" of illegal drugs seized in a legitimate operation.

The charges are an addition to an existing complaint being reinvestigated by state prosecutors upon orders by Guevarra. Originally against 13 policemen, the complaint had been dismissed but was reopened for a fresh probe after a Senate inquiry revealed alleged irregularities in the 2013 operation.

"The inclusion of General Albayalde in the amended complaint affidavit filed by the PNP-CIDG before the DOJ today is a reflection of their assessment that General Albayalde may be held criminally liable for the acts or omissions alleged in the complaint," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

"For its part, the DOJ will conduct a fair and thorough investigation of the old and new charges and will afford General Albayalde his right to due process," he said.

The preliminary investigation is a stage in proceedings in criminal cases where prosecutors determine whether or not they will file a case in court.

In its amended complaint, the CIDG is seeking the prosecution of Albayalde and the police officers who allegedly failed to declare the entire quantity of the drugs they seized in the November 29, 2013 operation in Mexico, Pampanga and let an arrested suspect go in exchange for P55 million and an SUV.

Albayalde stepped down from the PNP ahead of his retirement on November 8 amid the controversy. — RSJ, GMA News