The Philippine National Police (PNP) is currently embroiled in a controversy involving a recent drug bust that yielded ₱6.7 billion worth of shabu, a highly addictive and illegal drug in the country. The controversy stems from allegations that “ninja cops,” or rogue police officers, had resold some of the confiscated drugs and kept the profits for themselves.
PNP Chief General Oscar Albayalde has denied involvement in the controversy and has maintained that he was not the provincial director of Pampanga, where the drug bust happened, at the time of the operation. However, there are reports that Albayalde allegedly intervened on behalf of his former subordinates in Pampanga and prevented their cases from being dismissed. These allegations, if proven true, could potentially lead to Albayalde’s resignation as PNP Chief.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has expressed support for Albayalde and has called for an investigation into the alleged involvement of the ninja cops. Año has also emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the PNP’s operations, stating that the public deserves to know the truth about the drug bust and any possible criminal activities that may have taken place.
One of the key players in the controversy is former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief and whistleblower Benjamin Magalong, who has accused the ninja cops of reselling the seized drugs and has criticized Albayalde for allegedly protecting them. Magalong has also alleged that Albayalde received a portion of the profits from the reselling of the drugs, a claim that Albayalde has vehemently denied.
Another important figure in the controversy is former CIDG deputy director for operations Rudy Lacadin, who corroborated Magalong’s allegations and claimed that Albayalde had called him and asked him to stop the dismissal of the cases against the ninja cops. Albayalde, again, denied these allegations and insisted that he had no involvement in the controversy.
The controversy has led to calls for a thorough investigation into the drug bust and any possible criminal activities that may have taken place. Some lawmakers have also called for the resignation or removal of Albayalde as PNP Chief, citing the need for accountability and transparency in the PNP’s operations.
Despite these calls, however, Albayalde has maintained his innocence and has insisted that he will not resign as PNP Chief. The controversy is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be and what impact it will have on the PNP’s operations and public trust in the police force.
