DAVAO CITY –— The department of Justice has found probable cause to charge former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Abayalde and 12 police officers with graft for violation of the anti-graft law over the ‘ninja cops’ case.
The panel earlier created by the DOJ released a statement Thursday saying they found cause to file charges against Albayalde and 12 police officers for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act “For persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations in connection with the official duties of the latter, and for causing any undue injury to any party, including the government.”
But the same panel cleared Abayalde on his alleged involvement in misappropriating confiscated drugs, falsifying public documents, and failure to prosecute police officers.
The panel also found that the 12 police officers violated several laws including qualified qualified bribery, planting of evidence and delay and bungling in the prosecution of drug cases, among others.
Abayalde and the 12 police officers are accused of in pilfering some 160 kilos of shabu from a 2013 operation against a suspected Chinese drug lord.
The accusation prompted Albayalde to resign from his post in October last year.
Among those indicted with Abayalde include : Police Lt. Col. Rodney Raymundo Louie Juico Baloyo IV; Police Lt. Joven Bagnot De Guzman, Jr.; Police Master Sgts. Jules Lacap Maniago, Donald Castro Roque, Ronald Bayas Santos, Rommel Muñoz Vital, Alcindor Mangiduyos Tinio, Eligio Dayos Valeroso and Dante Mercado Dizon; and Police Staff Sgts. Dindo Singian Dizon, Gilbert Angeles De Vera, and Romeo Encarnacio Guerrero Jr.
One police officer, Police Cpl. Anthony Loleng Lacsamana, was cleared of charges for insufficient evidence. The panel found that he was not part of the operation.
The panel said it would submit its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a statement, Albayalde said he welcomes the development as he will finally be given a chance to defend himself in court.
“I welcome this development as the chance to once and for all clear my name in the proper forum. Finally, I will have my day in court,” he said.
He also expressed confidence the truth will prevail in the end.
“My conscience remains clear, and I am confident that the truth will bear me out in the end,” Albayalde added.-with PNA report
