PHILIPPINE Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo was told to respect the Senate’s investigation into the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law and the alleged anomalies in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Senator Richard Gordon made the call in response to Panelo’s criticism that the accusations against resigned PNP chief Oscar Albayalde were based on hearsay.
The Senate Blue Ribbon, and Justice and Human Rights Committees, both headed by Gordon, is conducting investigations on allegations of corruption within the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the PNP, particularly on a group of policemen allegedly involved in the recycling of illegal drugs.
According to Panelo, he can only speculate that Albayalde had had enough of the innuendo and the accusations at the Senate hearings, which he may have felt to be false and unfair.
“He said that his family was suffering, so he made that call,” Panelo had said.
“I don’t know why Sal is serving as spokesman of Albayalde. He should be the spokesman of the President,” Gordon said in a phone patch interview according to the Manila Bulletin.
“He should respect the investigation. His statements are being disrespectful because we are still in the process of the investigation,” Gordon said.
As far as he was concerned, Gordon said it seemed that Panelo was challenging the Senate’s authority to probe the anomalies.
“Maybe he can appear as counsel of Albayalde , but to me he is challenging the Senate investigation,” he pointed out.
Nevertheless, Gordon said it was up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine what cases can be pursued against Albayalde.
Albayalde had earlier stepped down as PNP chief following the testimonies of former generals regarding his alleged involvement in the case of the 13 policemen, who are now facing reinvestigation over the infamous drug raid in 2013 wherein they were said to have recycled the illegal drugs seized during the operation.
Albayalde resigned ahead of his retirement which would be on Nov. 8. He is currently on a non-duty status.
Meanwhile according to The Philstar the DoJ, had on Wednesday, officially reopened its investigation into the 2013 Pampanga drug raid led by suspected “ninja cops”.
The three-member panel of prosecutors, led by Senior Assistant State Alexander Suarez, conducted a preliminary investigation into the case where 13 cops were accused of making off with syabu worth P648 million (RM52 million), at the time, and setting free alleged drug lord Johnson Lee.
In the preliminary probe, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which stands as complainant, asked the panel of prosecutors for additional time to file additional evidence in the case.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had ordered the reinvestigation of the CIDG’s drug complaints against the 13 over the 2013 raid.
The CIDG filed complaints of violations of sections 27 (misappropriation), 29 (planting) and 32 (custody and disposition) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the cops.
The complaint, however, was dismissed, and is now subjected to a Petition for Review.