Cases vs ‘ninja cops’ up for resolution – DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded yesterday its investigation of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde and 13 alleged “ninja cops” tagged in the recycling of at least P648 million worth of drugs seized during a raid in Pampanga in 2013.

The charges of graft and illegal drugs filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against Albayalde and the other police officers have been submitted for resolution, according to the DOJ.

Albayalde and the other respondents appeared during yesterday’s hearing and affirmed their affidavits before Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez.

In his 17-page affidavit, the former PNP chief denied that he had direct control and supervision over the questionable raid on the house of suspected Korean drug trafficker Johnson Lee.

Albayalde maintained that the complaints against him was insufficient in form and substance.

Albayalde was Pampanga police director when Maj. Rodney Raymundo Baloyo IV led an anti-narcotics operation on Nov. 23, 2013.

The other members of the raiding team were Capt. Joven de Guzman Jr.; M/Sergeants Jules Maniago, Donald Roque, Ronald Santos, Rommel Muñoz Vital, Alcindor Tinio and Eligio Valeroso; S/Sergeants Dindo Dizon, Gilbert de Vera, Encarnacion Guerrero Jr. and Dante Dizon, and Cpl. Anthony Lacsamana.

Suarez said the charges against the respondents would be resolved by DOJ prosecutors, who will determine if there is probable cause to file the cases in court.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said there is no enough evidence to charge Albayalde administratively.

Albayalde stepped down as PNP chief on Oct. 14 amid the controversy.