Photo: Jonathan Cellona/ABS-CBN News" width="100%" />
Aaron Aquino, the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, yesterday accused police chief General Oscar Albayalde in a Senate hearing of urging him not to sack several men under his command who were part of a controversial 2013 anti-drug operation in Pampanga.
Aquino’s latest statement is a reversal of what he said on Tuesday, when he said that Albayalde called him to merely inquire about the status of the case.
The Senate is conducting an investigation into the contentious raid in Mexico, Pampanga led by then-Superintendent Rodney Baloyo. He, along with 11 other cops, allegedly stole at least 100 kilos of methamphetamine from the crime scene, which were believed to have been sold to drug traders, GMA News reports. Albayalde — who was then the chief of police of Pampanga, and has since been promoted to head the Philippine National Police — was temporarily relieved from his job due to the questionable nature of the operation, according to ABS-CBN News.
Aquino, who was then the chief of Central Luzon police, said he received a call from Albayalde, who wanted to know more about Baloyo’s case. Reading from a prepared statement, Aquino said that Albayalde “also added during the same [phone call] request, and I quote, ‘Sir, is it possible for you not to implement [the dismissal] order?’ Then I asked him, ‘Why not, Oca?’ Where he answered, ‘Because those are my people.'”
Former investigations head and current Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong testified earlier this week that Aquino told him that Albayalde intervened on behalf of his men, a claim that Aquino denied. Yesterday, Aquino maintained that he did this to protect his family.
“I was thinking of my family, who is now put in much deeper danger… A few days ago, I received a phone call from a friend who confirmed that some personalities are plotting against my family,” Aquino said.
“I know the pressure and challenges of my position as the main drug enforcer of the country, but I literally broke down into small pieces hearing the information considering that my security escorts had also been recalled. I feel so helpless and defeated.”
To this day, the policemen involved in the raid remain on active duty. Baloyo, now a police major, was also called by the Senate to join the investigation. However, lawmakers ordered him to be detained yesterday at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa for allegedly lying during the hearing.
Find all episodes of The Coconuts Podcast
