Duterte to consider Senate report on ninja cops

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will take into consideration the outcome of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s investigation into the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) at the national penitentiary, which also dealt with testimonies that cast doubt on the integrity of Gen. Oscar Albayalde who had stepped down from his post as police chief last Monday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo assured Blue Ribbon committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon that the Palace awaits the recommendation of the Senate regarding the controversial issues that hound Albayalde, who was reportedly forced to go on non-duty status last Monday.

“Bakit naman will not react? Di ba the President is the number one enforcer of the law, so if there is evidence against any wrongdoing, then it behooves the government to file and prosecute,” Panelo said.

Duterte was set to preside over the command conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police last night in Malacañang, purportedly to discuss many issues, including his choice of the next PNP chief.

The 190,000-strong police force is awaiting Duterte’s choice of a new chief after Albayalde was implicated in the alleged protection of so-called “ninja cops” or policemen who sold seized illegal drugs during anti-narcotics operations in Mexico, Pampanga back in 2013.

Panelo said the President has been doing his own vetting of possible candidates as Albayalde’s replacement.

Despite Albayalde’s impending retirement from the police service on Nov. 8, Panelo said it will be up to the proper agencies to determine whether or not the former PNP chief will face criminal or administrtative charges based on the allegations hurled by now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during the Senate probe.

Panelo told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News that Duterte has not changed his mind on Albayalde’s integrity, since proof has yet to be presented to the Chief Executive.