Manila: The Philippines’ top policeman, who leads the nation’s deadly drugs crackdown, quit on Monday as he faces allegations of protecting officers accused of selling a huge haul of seized narcotics.
Though the scandal dates from before Oscar Albayalde’s time as national police chief, it has raised fresh criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature anti-narcotics campaign, which is key to his massive popularity among Filipinos.
As part of Duterte’s internationally condemned initiative, police have killed thousands of alleged dealers and users since mid-2016, but critics say the wealthy and powerful have been largely untouched.
Albayalde’s resignation comes days after two former police officials implicated him in a 2013 raid in which officers in a province near Manila allegedly seized and then sold parts of a large methamphetamine haul.
One former official claimed Albayalde intervened to protect the officers from disciplinary action, while the other said he received money from the drug sale.
Criminal charges against the officers allegedly involved in the matter were dismissed in 2017.
However, prosecutors have now re-opened the case and summoned the men for questioning.
He said the allegations may have been an effort to gain publicity for people interested in his job. He was due to retire on November 8 after serving as national police chief since April 2018.
“I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his trust and confidence,” Albayalde said in a message announcing his departure. (AFP)
