Without ceremony

By: Modesto P. Sa-onoy

It is customary, a solemn custom for a retiring or departing commander in the armed forces to receive honors. Since the Philippine National Police has copied the traditions (now even their ranks) of the Armed Forces, the departing chief PNP is also accorded the honors. In this ceremony, the command is turned over to the successor with much fanfare and galore worthy of a job well done.

But not so for Police General Oscar David Albayalde who was forced by circumstance to leave office last month several days before his retirement on November 8. The PNP that he headed from April 2018 to last month announced that there will be no ceremonies to honor him. There will also be no turn-over of command since there is yet no successor. The President has appointed only an officer in charge and reportedly is having a hard time looking for a new Chief for the PNP.

Albayalde was considered a “dark horse” that the President picked to replace the PNP chief, Ronald dela Rosa who retired. Because there was no position available for the President’s man, he was appointed to head the Philippine penitentiary, wracked at the time with one scandal and scam after another. But dela Rosa’s post was merely a stop-over. When the proper time came, he ran for the Senate on the President’s senatorial slate.

That was how Albayalde’s predecessor was close to the President. On the other hand, Albayalde was said to lack personal attachment to the President and thus became a game for the other police generals, more senior than he was to resurrect issues ostensibly to discredit him. Jealousy among the top military and police brasses is not new. Though mostly alumni of the Philippine Military Academy they nevertheless forget comradeship and engage in what they call “militics” – politics in the military service. No different in the police force.

It is ironic that Albaylde was denied the departure honors when in his published records he is a recipient of the Philippine Legion of Honor. This distinction is awarded to Filipino citizens or foreigners for their meritorious service in the military and defense affairs or for exceptional performance of their duties. It is also the highest award the President can bestow without the need for the approval of Congress. Among its recipients are General Douglas MacArthur and General Dwight Eisenhower.

The treatment accorded to Albayaldeindicates he left in disgrace. Worse, while the PNP said it shelved the case against him, the other agencies may pursue the criminal case that caused his downfall. The latest news is that the Department of the Interior and Local Government will not pursue an administrative case against him on orders of President Duterte. This means he could receive his retirement benefits.

But will he be free from criminal liabilities? That is the sword of Damocles that will haunt him. Even so, his unceremonious departure already tarnished his image, an image he will carry for the rest of his life.

Such is the fate of those in power who went beyond the bounds of law and morality. Albayalde’s fault is not unique. It happens all the time. A scoundrel within the ranks is given a slap on the wrist. In his case, while he was the regional director in Pampanga, he simply demoted corrupt cops instead of kicking them out of the service or filing a criminal case against them.

The policemen were involved in the illegal drugs trade and should have been severely punished. Considering the campaign against illegal drugs where suspects are killed, the punishment meted on the rogue cops gave the impression that Albayalde is likewise involved, possibly as a protector. This is a terrible crime considering the bloody campaign against illegal drugs. But this was kept secret until other police officers squealed during the Senate hearing.

This is a case of the past haunting the present or as our culture calls it, gabâor karma but in the religious sense, divine justice. Of course, we can always ask, why him? How about the others with worst crimes? We are not in a position to say but those who believe in God’s justice can only leave these matters to the Divine Judge.

There is common wisdom which tells us that the harder the objects the harder they fall. There is always a time for reckoning, here or hereafter.