(OCTOBER 10, 2019) — Embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde threatened to sue a retired police official for dragging his name in the “ninja cops” controversy.

Albayalde said Rudy Lacadin, then a deputy director at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), has a lot of explaining to do after the latter claimed he got “a little” from the drug loot in an illegal drug raid conducted by 13 cops in Pampanga in 2013.

“Lacadin has a lot of explaining to do and he will have his day in court,” the police chief said in a statement on Thursday.

He also belied Lacadin’s allegations that he called him to ask about the status of the Pampanga policemen’s case. The two were partners in a water refilling business in 2011, but Albayalde said they were not friends, contrary to what Lacadin had earlier said.

During the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon committee inquiry, Lacadin said Albayalde, then the Pampanga police chief, admitted to receiving part of the proceeds from the seized drugs in the operation.

“I don’t know if jokingly, [pero] ang sabi niya, ‘Actually, sir, kaunti lang ang napunta sa akin diyan,'” Lacadin said.

The country’s top cop strongly denied the claims and accused police officials of “ganging up” on him. He accused the previous administration of being behind the supposed conspiracy against him.

“All those police officials ganging up on me have ill motives against me and obviously all worked with the previous administration,” the general said.

Albayalde also dispelled rumors that he had resigned from his post, less than a month before his mandatory resignation on November 8 when he turns 56 years old.

He said he leaves his fate to the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte and that he is ready to turn his post over to anyone appointed by the president.

Malacañang, meanwhile, distanced itself from the issue and said it will await for the result of the Senate and Department of the Interior and Local Government’s separate investigations.

“I don’t view anything, hindi ba sinabi natin na hayaan mo ‘yung Senado na mag-imbestiga, magkaroon sila ng findings; hayaan mo ‘yung DILG secretary na mag-imbestiga… and the President will act on them,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Thurday’s press briefing.

Albayalde has continuously denied involvement in the “ninja cops” issue and has dismissed calls for him to resign. (Randell Ritumalta/JMF)