(Eagle News)–The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has included former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde in its complaint over the 2013 irregular drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga.
Albayalde, who was the provincial director when the raid took place, is specifically facing charges for violation of Section 92 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Anti-Graft law, qualified bribery, falsification of public documents, perjury in solemn oaths and dereliction of duty.
The 13 policemen led by Rodney Baloyo and who were the original respondents in the complaint also now face the same additional charges.
Police Lt. Col. Joseph Orsos, chief of the PNP- CIDG legal division, said Albayalde could be held liable based on the circumstances.
On Monday’s DOJ hearing, CIDG witnesses including barangay officials swore to their additional statements
Baloyo was not present during the hearing but his men were.
These included Master Sergeants Donald Roque and Rommel Vital, and Corporal Romeo Encarnacion Guerrero Jr., who were sacked over an irregular raid in Antipolo in May.
The DOJ special panel of prosecutors set the next hearing and Albayalde’s submission of counter-affidavit to Nov. 5.
The CIDG’s move to include Albayalde came after a joint Senate panel recommended charges against him for allegedly intervening in the cases filed against the 13 policemen over the raid.
The cases against the group had been dropped but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had ordered a reinvestigation following revelations at a joint Senate panel hearing that Albayalde had intervened in the cases.
Albayalde has since stepped down as PNP chief. Moira Encina
