Former police official Benjamin Magalong testifies during the Senate hearing about ‘ninja cops’
Former senior police official and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned that the safety of the police officers involved in the 2013 drug bust in Pampanga may be at risk.
Magalong claimed civilian agents who were part of the controversial raid have already been killed.
“I hope that those involved in the 2013 drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga, will finally realize that they are on their own,” Magalong said in an interview over the ABS-CBN News Channel.
“And I hope that some of them start talking unless they end up dead like the other civilian agents who were also involved in that drug operation,” he added.
Sen. Richard Gordon, who led the Senate inquiry into the drug recycling controversy, agreed with Magalong.
“So, obviously if they step up on the plate, their lives would be in danger, even if they don’t, their lives would be in danger because the real criminals would not just sit by and allow the situation to happen,” Gordon said.
Magalong has accused resigned Police Chief Oscar Albayalde of protecting the 13 police officers who allegedly resold illegal drugs seized in the Pampanga operation. Albayalde was Provincial Director in 2013.
PNP Officer-In-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa believed Albayalde’s decision to step down as the country’ top cop was the best option for him and the police force.
Gamboa assured his men and the public that he will do everything he can to restore the credibility of the police force.
The Palace for its part asserted that it will file a case against Albayalde if he did commit any wrongdoing.
“The president is the number one enforcer of the law, so if there is evidence against any wrong doing then it behooves the government to file and prosecute,” Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
However, Panelo said that because Albayalde has relinquished his post, the Department Of Interior And Local Government will no longer continue its administrative probe against him.
This was contrary to the pronouncements of DILG Sec. Eduardo Año that his department will not stop its probe into Albayalde’s possible administrative charges. (Jasper Camilo)