(Eagle News)–The testimonies in the Senate against Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde can be used as bases for the filing of charges against him, Senator Richard Gordon said.
Gordon made the statement after retired general Rudy Lacadin told a joint Senate panel looking into the issue of ninja cops that Albayalde called him upon learning he was probing the 2013 Pampanga drug raid of 13 policemen, and told him “onti lang naman napunta sa akin diyan.”
This was after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino, then the Central Luzon regional director, said he received a call from Albayalde sometime in 2016 asking him to refrain from implementing the 2014 dismissal order against the 13 policemen over the irregular raid.
Albayalde has admitted calling Aquino but denied influencing him into doing anything.
He questioned the timing of the allegations of Lacadin, saying they were made six years after the supposed incident.
He added he was never charged.
According to Gordon, charges for graft and negligence can be filed against Albayalde as there appears to be basis for the statement of Lacadin, who he said was Albayalde’s friend.
Several senators agreed.
“Well, let’s leave it at that. That testimony is damaging,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said.
For Senate President Tito Sotto, “mahirap sanggain mga ganung statements.”
“Hindi madaling magbintang kung hindi merong pinagdadaanan e,” he said.
Gordon said the Senate would start writing the report that would recommend charges against the so-called ninja cops.
It was unclear though if there would be a formal recommendation to file charges against Albayalde.Meanne Corvera
