Ombudsman junks graft case vs. ex-PNP chief Albayalde on 2013 drug raid

The Ombudsman has dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence the graft charges filed against retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde for  his alleged connection to a 2013 drug raid in Pampanga.

Photos of the resolution shared to the media showed that the Ombudsman has set aside the recommendation of the Department of Justice to indict Albayalde.

“It is thus, insufficient to establish proof of any unlawful act or omission on P/Gen Albayalde’s part,” the resolution read.

According to the Ombudsman, the amended complaint violated Albayalde’s constitutional guaranteed right to be informed of the accusation filed against him.

“Likewise, the evidence presented is not only tainted with procedural lapses, but also failed to establish liability on his part,” it read.

In January, the Department of Justice found probable cause to charge Albayalde with violation of the Anti-Graft and Practices Act.

Albayalde was the director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office when the alleged irregular buy-bust operation took place in November 2013 at Woodbridge Subdivision, Lakeshore View, Pampanga.

The former PNP chief was accused of intervening in the implementation of a dismissal order against the 13 police officers involved in the operation.

Albayalde welcomed the Ombudsman’s decision.

“The decision of the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman is a concrete validation of what I’ve always insisted, that these personal attacks were baseless and without evidence,” he said in a Facebook post.

“As I have maintained since the beginning, I have placed my full trust in our justice system, and thankfully the truth has prevailed,” he added.

He also expressed gratitude to those who helped his family.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who have supported us through these trying times.  It has been especially hard on my children who were immensely hurt by these false accusations,” he said.—LDF, GMA News

Ombudsman junks graft case vs. ex-PNP chief Albayalde on 2013 drug raid
Source: Filipino Viral News PH