Deputy Majority Leader Bernadette Herrera
MANILA – A House leader on Wednesday urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to provide protective security detail for Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino following threats to their safety after their revelations on "ninja cops".
In a statement, Deputy Majority Leader Bernadette Herrera said both Magalong and Aquino should also be placed under the witness protection program of the government.
Herrera further noted that other potential whistleblowers, such as current Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, should also be accorded with the same protection to expose those involved in the reselling of illegal drugs seized during legitimate anti-drug operations.
"Now is the time for PNP officers to come forward with solid evidence and personal eyewitness accounts on reward money being split within the PNP, 'ninja cops' recycling seized drugs, and police engaged in drug trafficking and protecting drug lords," she said.
The lawmaker is also looking into the proposal to separate the PNP Internal Affairs Service from the PNP command structure, which entails a substantial revision of the Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.
"I will look for organizational models in other countries that might fit that kind of an internal affairs inspectorate. Perhaps there are models in Asia, Europe and elsewhere from which we can draw lessons," Herrera said.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) included embattled former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde in the charges filed along with 13 of his former subordinates.
Albayalde was the acting chief of the Pampanga police provincial office in 2013 when he allegedly tried to influence the dismissal order against his 13 former subordinates, who were accused of being “ninja cops”. (PNA)
