(Eagle News)–Appropriate but not closure.
This was how Senator Risa Hontiveros described Oscar Albayalde’s resignation as Philippine National Police chief following allegations he intervened in the status of the cases of 13 policemen behind a 2013 irregular drug raid in Pampanga.
“I welcome the decision of General Oscar Albayalde, my mistah, to relinquish his post… Given the gravity of accusations, which have further demoralized an already misdirected police force, his decision to step down was appropriate,” Hontiveros said.
She said, however, that this did not mean that the issue on ninja cops was already a done deal.
She said “this is an important development in the people’s quest for truth, justice and accountability.”
“May this aid us all in our collective effort to continue to ferret out the truth, hold all responsible accountable and redeem the tarnished image and reputation of our police force,” she added.
Albayalde’s resignation came weeks before his retirement on Nov. 8.
It came after Senator Richard Gordon said the joint Senate panel looking into the ninja cops issue would recommend the filing of charges against Albayalde.
President Rodrigo Duterte had said he would defer taking action on the claims against Albayalde and the 13 policemen pending the results of the Senate probe.
