Albayalde to step down from PNP helm ahead of retirement date

From GMA News Online (Oct 11, 2019): Albayalde to step down from PNP helm ahead of retirement date

Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde will let go of the reins of the PNP ten days before his scheduled retirement on November 8, Senator Bong Go said on Friday.

Go told reporters that the turnover ceremonies at the PNP headquarters had been calendared for October 29 in President Rodrigo Duterte's schedule.

"Kasi pupunta siya sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit) sa first week [ng November]. Naka-schedule siya pumunta ng Bangkok, Thailand so naka-schedule na rin ang turn-over ng PNP,” Go said.

Albayalde said he was okay with the date of the turnover rites.

“It’s because of the ASEAN Summit. It’s no problem. Okay na ‘yun. Kung matutuloy ‘yun, I think the President prefers to have the turnover before he leaves. Okay naman ‘yun,” Albayalde told reporters when asked about the schedule.

Even if his retirement won't be until November 8, Albayalde said he would already be on vacation after the ceremonies on October 29.

Will he still inspect facilities in time for the All Saints' Day break? "Hindi na," Albayalde said.

A few weeks back, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lieutenant General Clement took over from retired General Benjamin Madrigal in turnover ceremonies that Duterte didn't attend.

Albayalde is in the middle of a controversy over an allegedly anomalous drug operation by the Pampanga police in November 2013.

His subordinates allegedly let a suspected drug lord flee in exchange for P50 million while most of the 200 kilos of shabu confiscated during the operation were not declared and presumed to have been sold back to the drug market.

Albayalde has denied allegations that he was involved in any way with the operation and that he intervened in the implementation of a dismissal order on the 13 police officers involved.

The so-called "ninja cops" have all since been demoted by a rank instead of the initial recommendation that they all be dismissed.

The allegations against Albayalde came to fore in a Senate inquiry on policemen who allegedly sell confiscated illegal drugs.

Albayalde said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año told him that he should finish his term as PNP chief.

He denied that he had resigned.

“Walang resignation na ganon. According to him, I’ll finish my term. Ang sabi naman niya I’ll be made to finish my term,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde has been saying that he leaves his fate to the President when asked about availing early retirement due to the issues he is facing.

Go said Albayalde's fate—whether or not Duterte will fire him—would be known in the coming days.

"Sa Tuesday pa ang most probable meeting nila,” Go said.

“Merong command conference sa Tuesday sa Malacanang. Du'n n'yo malalaman kung siya pa rin,” he added.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/711411/albayalde-to-step-down-from-pnp-helm-ahead-of-retirement-date/story/