Albayalde resigned after losing moral ascendancy to lead PNP –Magalong

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde stepped down from his position because he lost the moral ascendancy to lead the institution amid the "ninja cops" controversy, according to former chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Benjamin Magalong.

"Kung titingnan mo dyan sa PNP, wala na siya, ina-avoid na siya. Nag-e-evade na 'yung mga tao pag nasasalubong siya... Kapag may mga event wala na ring sumasama sa kaniya, nararamdaman na rin niya na lumalayo 'yung mga tao sa kaniya," Magalong, now mayor of Baguio City, told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

"Once you lost the moral high ground to lead, you have to get out of the organization," he added.

Magalong also believed that President Rodrigo Duterte was "disgusted" with the drug recycling mess that had also implicated Albayalde.

"Kung talagang titingnan mo doon sa salita ni Presidente nung in-interview siya, galing siya ng Russia sabi niya 'Ayaw ko nang madapa ulit.' Malaman 'yun," he said.

Duterte, when asked whether he had someone in mind to replace the embattled PNP chief who was then set to retire on November 8, had said, "I have to consult everybody. Maya-maya madapa na naman tapos ako ang magkaroon ng problema." 

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, however, claimed that Albayalde was not forced to resign as he still enjoyed the President's trust.

"Wala siyang masabi rito nung ito ay hepe ng PNP," said Año. 

During a Senate inquiry into the so-called "ninja cops," Magalong alleged that Albayalde tried to manipulate the implementation of the dismissal order against 13 police officers who figured in a questionable Pampanga drug bust in 2013.

Instead of being dismissed from the service, the cops, who were then under Albayalde's supervision as provincial police director, were demoted. 

Albayalde had denied the allegations against him.

‘New, credible leadership’

Albayalde's resignation was an opportunity to restore the PNP's reputation, according to Magalong.

"Three weeks na lang [bago ang retirement] pero tingnan mo naman 'yung impact sa organization. Habang nandyan siya laging lumalabas 'yung mga issue at nadadawit, pati organization ay nahihila pababa," Magalong said.

"Ang importante doon ay pag umalis na siya there will be new leadership and this time, it will be a credible leadership with the moral ascendency to lead," he added.

The PNP is currently led by officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, the deputy chief for administration.

Magalong was optimistic that the next PNP chief would redeem the police force's credibility.

"Looking at the credentials of the candidates, mga contenders din, ako naniniwala namang kaya nilang i-regain 'yung image ng Philippine National Police," he said. "Anyone na mapili ni Presidente, ako confident ako na the PNP will be in good hands." — DVM, GMA News