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EXCLUSIVE: Albayalde says stepping down is 'best decision' for PNP

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/10/09/20191009-albayalde-senate-ninja-cops-ma-01.jpg"/><figcaption>Former Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde. <em>Mike Alquinto, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Stepping down as chief of the Philippine National Police is the &quot;best decision&quot; to protect the morale of the police force, General Oscar Albayalde explained Monday.</p><p>Albayalde said leaving the helm of the PNP unburdened him of stress as he fought allegations he protected his men accused of selling seized narcotics. The decision is also meant &quot;to spare the PNP from further demoralization.&quot;</p><p>&quot;For the past few weeks, talagang may stress talaga pero sa ngayon after what I decided this morning, medyo na-release na din,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>&quot;That is the best decision na nagawa ko given the circumstances,&quot; he added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/14/19/albayalde-stepping-down-as-pnp-chief">Albayalde steps down as PNP Chief earlier than planned</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1382861" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Albayalde said he was going on non-duty status starting Monday. He said last week that he was leaving the PNP top post on Oct. 29. He will retire on Nov. 8, when he turns 56.</p><p>Albayalde was head of the Pampanga police when 13 of its officers were accused of pilfering some 160 kilos of shabu from a 2013 operation against a suspected Chinese drug lord.</p><p>Former police official Benjamin Magalong, in a recent Senate hearing, claimed Albayalde sought to defer the dismissal order against his former subordinates.</p><p>Another retired police official, Rudy Lacadin, later claimed that Albayalde called him up to inquire about the case of the so-called &quot;ninja cops&quot; and allegedly admitted that some of the drug loot went to him but &quot;only a little.&quot;</p><p>Albayalde said his accusers may have &quot;personal reasons&quot; on linking him to corruption.</p><p>&quot;May mga personal reasons siguro na sila lang ang nakakaalam, mga accusers ko lang,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>IMPACT ON FAMILY</strong></div><p>Albayalde explained that part of his decision to resign was brought about by his conversation with his family over the weekend.</p><p>The former top cop said the allegations against him had a &quot;huge&quot; impact on his family, particularly his children.</p><p>&quot;Remember kapag ang father naapektuhan, the whole family is affected,&quot; Albayalde said, noting that his youngest daughter was the &quot;most affected&quot; of the issue.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m sure naintindihan naman nila...They were part of my decision,&quot; he added.</p><p>Albayalde is the second PNP chief under President Rodrigo Duterte. He succeeded now-Senator Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa who initially led Duterte&#x27;s fierce anti-narcotics crackdown.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/14/19/albayalde-had-enough-says-duterte-spox">Albayalde had enough, says Duterte spox</a></li></ul>

<p>Stepping down as chief of the Philippine National Police is the "best decision" to protect the morale of the police force, General Oscar Albayalde explained Monday.</p>

Stepping down as chief of the Philippine National Police is the "best decision" to protect the morale of the police force, General Oscar Albayalde explained Monday.