‘Ninja cops’ known upon Digong return from Russia

President Rodrigo Duterte admires paintings at the ASEAN-Russian Exhibition at Moscow State Institute of International Relations University on Friday. (PCOO)

President Rodrigo Duterte will be home Sunday afternoon from a five-day state visit in Russia as the public awaits the release of the names of the so-called “ninja cops.”

The list refers to cops who recycle confiscated illegal drugs, for reselling either to drug dealers or to the big-time syndicates from whom the drugs were seized.

The issue is the subject of an ongoing Senate investigation where outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino have traded accusations.

The President has ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government to investigate Albayalde and other policemen amid earlier assurance that the PNP chief still has Malacañang’s trust.

“I am mad at them [ninja cops],” Duterte said.

Sen. Bong Go, part of the Russia visit delegation, also revealed the list will be bared upon the President’s return.

“Respetado ang ating mga kapulisan, ginagalang sila ngayon,” Go said. “Huwag nating sayangin ang na-redeem na respeto ng PNP na ibinibigay ng tao dahil lang po nahaluan ng iilan. Iilan lang po ito.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will create a new panel of state prosecutors when it re-opens its investigation.

DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday all sides will be given ample opportunity to present additional evidence.

“We shall try to resolve in a month’s time, considering that this automatic review has been pending since 2017,” said Guevarra. (With a report from Alvin Murcia)