‘Pampanga 13’ not yet off the hook

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday vowed to refile criminal and administrative cases against the 13 police officers who were involved in the controversial anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013 now being investigated by the Senate.

In the Senate inquiry on “ninja cops”, Senate Justice Committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon had questioned Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus of his basis for demoting the policemen by one rank instead of implementing the original dismissal order.

The senator then asked Corpus — who was then Central Luzon Police chief in 2017 when the officers were demoted — if he would now consider filing charges against the police officers “now that the cat is coming out of the bag” in the course of the investigation.

“So you will conduct the investigation and file the case?” Gordon asked the CIDG chief, who answered: “Upon instruction of the PNP chief, sir.”

PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde — who was also in the hearing – concurred and vowed that they will file appropriate charges against the policemen and stressed that it would be better if the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP will be the one to investigate and file the administrative case against the police officers to eliminate “partiality.”