Albayalde says he is sure Bautista will accept Tulfo apology

June 4, 2019

Philippine National Police ( PNP) General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said he is sure Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista will accept the apology of radio broadcaster Erwin Tulfo.

In a TV interview, Albayalde said the PNP accepted the public apology of Tulfo.

"His apology, I'm sure is very much accepted. Knowing General Bautista, I know he will accept that," he said.

Being with him in the same company during their Philippine Military Academy days, Albayalde described Bautista as a silent and private person.

The PNP chief admitted being upset by the remarks of Tulfo.

Though he did not order the pullout of the Tulfo family's security detail, Albayalde said he supported the decision of the organization.

"I'm one of the PMA-ers. Of course I was hurt because the whole PMA graduates were dragged because of what he said," said Albayalde.

"I'm the PNP chief, so what will they say if I did not do something about it? I can do something about it (but) then I didn't do anything. I have to do my responsibility," he said.

He reiterated that the outburst of Tulfo after Bautista denied his request for an interview is one of the factors their police security detail were pulled out.

"To be honest about it, that's one factor... but that's not the main reason," said Albayalde.

The PNP chief said the main reason for the pullout is their periodic review of their personnel assigned to a protectee.

"It's a regular basis. It's not only on the Tulfo brothers but everybody. Even former generals. We pull out, evaluate and if there is a need (for security) will bring them back," he explained.

Even after they accepted Tulfo's apology, their family will still undergo the same process as others.

"We are not saying that they will be denied of security if they deserved to be secured by PNP personnel," said Albayalde.

"There's a chance," he said.

Albayalde said the salary of the police assigned in this kind of job comes from the government.

"That is their specific duty. So if you are assigned as security escort you are being paid by the government, the same salary the patrolman receives. That is their job description," he said.

He said the review process takes up to two weeks.

Albayalde urged the public to report any protectee showing bad behavior to them as good moral character is one of the requirements to have a security detail.

The PNP chief then people asked to move on.

"Let's move forward... Erwin Tulfo publicly apologized. That's very acceptable," Albayalde said. Ella Dionisio/DMS