Philippine police chief resigns after named in drug scam

The Philippine police chief and in-charge of the country's anti-drug war, Oscar Albayalde, resigned on Monday after facing allegations that six years ago he allowed officers working under him to resell seized narcotics.

"After careful thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision to relinquish my post as chief PNP (Philippine National Police) effective today and go on a non-duty status," Efe news quoted Albayalde as saying in a televised speech at an official ceremony.

The allegations against Albayalde date back to 2013, when he was the head of police in Pampanga province.

Some 13 officers under him allegedly accepted bribes from a drug suspect and arrested another person in his place. They were also accused of taking and hiding 100 kg of methamphetamine from the suspect, which they later resold.

Albayalde, who had pleaded innocence and claimed that the allegations were aimed at seeking publicity, was due to retire on November 8, when he turns 56, the retirement age for police officers under Philippine law.

His resignation came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Interior Minister Eduardo Ano to investigate the issue.

Albayalde had replaced Ronald dela Rosa in April 2018 as the PNP chief and head of Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign, which has led to more than 27,000 people being killed since 2016, according to UN estimates.