By Chito Chavez
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has confirmed the possibility that resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde might forfeit his monthly pension if its independent probe shows his liability in an administrative case in relation to his supposed illegal drug links.
General Oscar Albayalde (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
PNP CHief Dir Gen. Oscar Albayalde speaks during a press confere
Napolcom Vice-Chairman Rogelio Casurao explained that only his monthly pension will be affected and not his terminal leave credits if Napolcom and DILG investigation finds strong evidence to pin him down on an administrative case.
Albayalde, who was receiving almost P150,000 in monthly salaries, is supposed to receive the same amount as monthly pension when he retires from police service on November 8, 2019.
The resigned ex-PNP chief is under fire after several former generals in a series of Senate hearings accused him of interceding in a 2013 Pampanga drug case where 13 of his former subordinates were meted with dismissals from the police service.
Eventually, the Pampanga cops, who were accused of stashing 160 kilograms of the 200 kilograms in illegal drugs that were actually seized in the operations, were merely demoted to a lower rank.
The 13 cops were also accused of receiving P50 million from suspected illegal drug dealer Johnson Lee in exchange for his freedom while another suspect was presented in place of Lee.
Casurao added the Napolcom may gather pieces of evidence from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report, which stated that Albayalde and the so-called “ninja cops” may be liable for graft and drug cases, to aid their own probe.
He noted that they can initiate an administrative case if there is really a strong indication that Albayalde could be held liable for the charges.
The PNP assured the embattled Albayalde and the other involved cops that due process will be accorded to them adding all of the accused are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.