Albayalde doesn’t regret calling Aquino on status of Pampanga cops

October 4, 2019

The head of the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Friday said he does not regret calling Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino to ask for the status of the cops involved in the controversial 2013 Pampanga drug raid.

In a TV interview, Police General Oscar Albayalde said: '' "I don't think so. It happened in 2013. I always asked myself why only now when I am about to retire. This has something to do with something else." 

During Thursday's Senate hearing, Aquino, who was the regional director of Central Luzon police during the issue, admitted Albayalde called him asking if he can hold the dismissal order of the 13 involved cops.

Albayalde  said he called Aquino only to ask about the status but he did not ask Aquino to not implement the order.

"That is his word. I cannot argue here because this has seem to have been judged already. I cannot change the mind of anybody so I don't want to argue here," he said. 

"I called as a commander, you know you have friends also. People will ask help from you, their families. And all right, so what's wrong with asking the status of the case?" Albayalde added.

He said what he did, calling the regional director is not unethical.

"Well in our organization it's normal. Even in the military is normal," the PNP chief said. "I think even Senator (Richard) Gordon even made gestures saying he called me...  when you have problem with the Red Cross. Now ask me is that ethical? It happens," he said.

Albayalde reiterated he cannot influence Aquino as he is an upper classman in the PMA. "You know you have to be courteous and all . He is your upperclass...," he said.

Though he cannot recall what he said that time, he said his call never influenced Aquino. "In fact again, General Aquino made that very clear yesterday. He was never influenced... he threw them out to Mindanao. Let's make that very clear so the influence is never there," said Albayalde.

Albayalde and Aquino were present at Senate hearing on the issue of ninja cops who are allegedly involved in drug recycling. Ella Dionisio/DMS