PNP chief Albayalde resigns
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2019 03:10:35 +0000
ALBAYALDE (FB photo)
General Oscar Albayalde has relinquished his post as the chief of the 190,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) amid the controversy hounding him over drug recycling issue.
“After careful thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision to relinquish my post as Chief PNP effective today (Monday) and go on a non-duty status,” said Albayalde in a statement.
“I have submitted my letter of intent to Interior Secretary (Eduardo) Ano which he accepted and favorably endorsed to the President,” he added.
Albayalde is supposed set to retire on November 8, the day he will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.
The Chief PNP has been at the center of the controversy in the past few weeks over allegations that he benefitted from the alleged recycling of more than 160 kilos of shabu of 13 of his men while he was still the provincial director of Pampanga in November 29, 2013.
There was also an allegation that his men took P10 million from the house of suspected drug lord Johnson Lee who was allegedly arrested during the operation but was freed after allegedly paying at least P50 million.
What pinned Albayalde on the Senate probe was when then Central Luzon regional police chief and now Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino that he called him up to ask not to implement the dismissal order against the 13 cops led by Maj. Rodney Baloyo.
Another retired general, Rudy Lacadin, claimed that Albayalde told him over a phone call that he got little from the Pampanga operation.
By filing non-duty status and following its approval, Albayalde will leave the PNP chief post vacant but will remain as an active member of the police organization. It also means that he will retain his four-star rank.
Since only one police official is entitled for a four-star rank in the PNP, his replacement will only get the four-star rank after Albayalde retires on November 8.
SUCCESSOR
Senator Bong Go earlier said that President Duterte is choosing among three contenders for the top PNP.
They are Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa who is currently the number two-man being the deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, the number three-man being the deputy chief for operations; and, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the number four man being the chief directorial staff.
Gambo and Cascolan belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986.
Albayalde and his predecessor, now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, are also from PMA Class 1986.
Eleazar is from PMA Class 1987.
“Since I am retiring compulsory on November 8, this will pave the way for the appointment of my replacement if the President so desire,” said Albayalde.
FAREWELL
It was the last flag-raising ceremony for Albayalde on Monday, his decision to relinquish the top PNP post surprised a lot of policemen.
In his speech, Albayalde again defended himself from allegations that he tried to whitewash the investigation on the Pampanga drug ra
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