PNP chief enjoys Duterte 'trust, confidence' - Panelo

MOSCOW — President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson slammed Friday a Senate inquiry into police officers who allegedly recycle confiscated drugs, saying the proceedings have been tainted with "political color."

“Ang ayaw ko dito sa Senate investigation, I have to say my piece: I cannot even understand why parang pinapalabas nila 'yung administrasyon eh failing in the drug [war]. Parang nagiging politika, 'yan ang nakikita ko diyan,” he told reporters here.

"Hindi ko nga maintindihan, eh. Basta nagkakaroon ng kulay politika ito," he added.

(What I don't like in the Senate investigation, I have to say my piece: I cannot even understand why it seems that they're trying to show that the administration is failing in the drug war. It seems to have become political, that's what I see there. I can't understand it. This has become tainted with political color.)

The Senate inquiry first started looking into the early release of heinous crime convicts from the national penitentiary due to good conduct credits, which some witnesses said were being sold by corrupt officials.

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Other corrupt practices in the prisons bureau were later unearthed, prompting senators to invite to its hearing former police official Benjamin Magalong, who once planned a raid into the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

Magalong said Chinese drug lords control the drug trade all over the Philippines by tapping gang members outside prisons.

Later, he accused Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde of protecting several officers who allegedly pilfered some 160 kilos of shabu from a drug sweep.

"Nag-umpisa 'yan sa good behavior allowance time lang tapos napunta na kung saan-saan, napunta na sa drug war. Something is wrong somewhere," Panelo said of the inquiry.

(That started with just the good behavior allowance time and later went to various tracks, went to the drug war.)

DUTERTE 'TRUSTS' ALBAYALDE

Duterte has ordered an investigation into Albayalde, the interior department said Friday.

Despite this development, the President still trusts the PNP chief, said Panelo.

"Until such time that he says that he doesn't have, the presumption is the General has his trust and confidence,” said the Palace official.

"'Di ba sinabi niya (Duterte) before he departed [for Russia] na he will wait for the investigation in the Senate as well as the internal investigation to be conducted the DILG secretary before he makes the decision. Gusto niya malaman ang totoo,” he added.

(Didn't he say before he departed that he will wait for the investigation in the Senate as well as the internal investigation to be conducted the DILG secretary before he makes the decision? He wants to know the truth.)

Duterte said Thursday that at least 2 generals are involved in the illegal drug trade.

Panelo said he doubted that Albayalde was one of the 2, but he admitted that Duterte had not given him any names.

“Wala, wala naman siyang binanggit, eh. Baka, I think he was referring to the generals mentioned during the Senate hearing,” he said.

(He didn't mention anything. I think he may be referring to the generals mentioned during the Senate hearing.)

• Magalong says he has Duterte's 'full support' amid allegations vs PNP chief

Albayalde earlier denied that he urged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Aaron Aquino, who was chief of the Central Luzon police in 2016, to defer the dismissal order against 13 Pampanga policemen tagged in recycling seized drugs.

Their penalty was downgraded to demotion after they filed a motion for reconsideration, said the PNP chief, adding that he cannot influence the decision of Aquino, his upperclassman at the Philippine Military Academy.

"Parang may logic," Panelo said of Albayalde's statement.

(It seems to have logic.)

Albayalde is set to retire in November. Duterte has likely started selecting the next PNP chief, said Panelo.

"Usually 'yung class niya ang kino-consider diyan, 'di ba?... Wala pa akong naririnig na nagfo-float na pangalan,” he said.

(Usually the class is considered there, right? I have not heard a name being floated.)

• Albayalde leaves resignation up to Duterte

Duterte is set to return to Manila from his 5-day visit to Russia on Saturday night.

-- Report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News