Dela Rosa backs Albayalde amid claims of drugs recycling at the PNP

Amid accusations that police officers were recycling drugs seized during operations, Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday made it clear that Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde had his complete confidence.

“I’m betting my neck sa tao na ‘yan. Isusugal ko ‘yung aking pagkatao diyan sa kanya,” Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, told reporters when sought to comment on the matter.

“That’s why nilagay ko siya as RD (regional director) ng NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) because I have high regard sa kanya,” he added,

Dela Rosa and Albayalde are "mistahs" or batchmates at the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986, though dela Rosa clarified that this was not the main reason for his confidence in the current PNP chief.

“Kilala ko ‘yung tao, kilala ko. Kaya I have enough confidence when I assigned him as RD of NCRPO, very confident ako. Not because we’re mistah. Kasama na ‘yun, pero nakita mo naman ang performance niya dyan sa NCRPO,” he explained.

The senator recounted an instance when Albayalde was relieved as provincial director of Pampanga after several of his men were accused of involvement in illegal drugs

“May insidente na na-relieve siya as PD ng Pampanga dahil nga may intel operatives siyang involved sa problema ng shabu. ‘Yun lang ang alam ko kaya siya natanggal noon. But since then wala naman akong narinig na ibang info about sa kanya,” dela Rosa said.

“He was relieved for command responsibility,  hindi talaga na establish na meron siyang hand dun sa ginagawa ng mga tao niya,” he added, recalling that the suspension occurred when Alan Purisima was PNP chief .

Dela Rosa also emphasized that he had received no information that Albayalde had protected his friends who were involved in illegal activities.

During a Senate hearing, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, revealed that there were corrupt cops who recycled or sold confiscated illegal drugs. 

Magalong revealed the names of some of those involved in the activity during an executive session. Testimony provided during executive sessions were considered confidential unless a majority of senators agree to make it public. — DVM, GMA News