Albayalde: No poll revamp for CIDG chief

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde defended Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus, who was not included in a massive reshuffle of personnel even if his wife is running for a seat in Congress.

At least 1,370 police officers who are related by blood or affinity to politicians vying for various elective posts in the midterm polls were reassigned to other areas to prevent them from influencing the outcome of the elections in favor of their candidates.

However, Corpus was retained in his post despite his wife, Victoria Seares Corpus, running for a congressional seat as representative of the lone district of Abra province.

For Albayalde, he sees no reason to temporarily replace Corpus as the head of a national support unit of the PNP, saying it just a “coincidence’ that the latter’s wife is politician.

He said there has been no complaint of electioneering against Corpus, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986.

“He fully knows our policy on non-partisanship especially during elections. This is the reason why we have not received any complaint of him meddling with his wife’s political affairs in Abra,” Albayalde said in a text message.

Even if Corpus would attempt to influence the local politics in Abra, Albayalde said it could not be done as the CIDG only has about seven to 10 personnel in the province.

“So how can he probably influence the outcome of the election in the province or even in the district where his wife is running with that very small number of personnel?” Albayalde said.

The PNP chief also described Corpus as a very professional officer who will not take advantage of his position to ensure his wife’s victory in the elections.

Corpus, for his part, assured the public that the CIDG remains non-partisan even if his wife is involved in politics.

“CIDG personnel were advised to keep away from politics but were directed to dismantle private armed groups and gun-for-hire groups who are usual suspects in election related violent incidents,” he said in a statement.