Albayalde slips out sans pomp
There was no retirement honor because he chose not to avail (it)
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde reverted back to civilian life as he formally ended his more than three decades of uniformed service yesterday without fanfare.
Albayalde opted to not be accorded departure honors, according to PNP spokesman PBrig. Gen. Bernard Banac.
“Today is the retirement of former PNP chief Albayalde. There was no retirement honor because he chose not to avail (it),” Banac said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
Albayalde’s retirement ceremony was supposed to take place last 29 October along with the change-of-command for the new PNP chief.
However, President Rodrigo
Duterte still has to name Albayalde’s successor and it is likely that PLt. Gen. Archie Gamboa would stay on a while longer as the organization’s officer-in-charge.
Gamboa is on the shortlist of contenders for the PNP’s highest seat along with PLt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and PMaj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
Difficult task
The President admitted having difficulty in selecting an
“appropriate guy” who will take over as new Philippine National Police chief.
“It’s kind of not really messy (situation), but it’s very hard to (choose) at this time a candidate who would really be the appropriate guy. It’s difficult,” Mr. Duterte said.
He said he wanted his next PNP chief to possess honesty, but noted that it would be a rare trait.
Albayalde relinquished his post and went on non-duty status 14 October after being dragged in the “ninja cops” controversy.
He was charged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group before the Department of Justice for his alleged involvement in a questionable anti-narcotics operation when he was still Pampanga provincial police director back in 2013.
Tough challenges
Among the complaints he is facing are violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft Law (two counts),
Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code for falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastic minister, and dereliction of duty.
The President said he would leave it to the Office of the Ombudsman to decide on the case of Albayalde.
“Let the Ombudsman. There’s no need for administrative liability because he’s retiring, just criminal liability if there is,” the President said.
“He’s retiring. The heaviest penalty there is will be if you are separated from service,” he added.