MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte underscored the need to respect due process amid the “ninja cops” and drug recycling controversy hounding the Philippine Nation Police (PNP) and its chief General Oscar Albayalde.
In a speech following his arrival from Russia on Sunday, President Duterte said he wants “clear proof” of his embattled police chief’s alleged involvement in drug recycling before making any judgment.
“Eh kung ‘yung mga criminal binibigyan mo ng presumption of innocence…You know, Albayalde is the PNP chief. Give me a clear proof na talagang he was there on the trafficking of drugs,” Duterte said.
Last week, Baguio City mayor and former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Benjamin Magalong claimed that Albayalde intervened to stop the dismissal of 13 ninja cops in Pampanga in 2013, when he was the province’s police chief.
“Just give me proof, kasi abogado ako e. You know, there is a legal basis we have to follow. Guilt is personal. That is why you have to hear before you condemn because guilt is personal,” Duterte said.
The President added: “it cannot be transferred from the lowest to the highest-ranking officer unless there is a conspiracy. I have to consult everybody. Maya maya madapa na naman tapos ako ang magkaroon ng problema.”
Meanwhile, the PNP vowed to fully cooperate with the investigations being conducted by the Senate, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government which oversees the police force./PN
