Many of us used to get annoyed with the contrived storylines of local movies or teleplays but some homegrown filmmakers have mustered enough creativity to come up with more meaningful narratives that the viewers actually relate to.
One example is this popular teleserye adaptation of Fernando Poe Jr.’s original “Probinsyano” that tackles Cardo Dalisay’s bloody crusade against corruption of politicians and crooked policemen, as well as activities of crime syndicates. Many have been entertained, no longer disappointed with the actionpacked adventure of the underdog hero.
But the recent events, particularly the revelations in the ongoing Senate inquiry into the activities of so-called ninja cops, have come as a shocking news to the public in the wake of the Bureau of Corrections parole racket scandal.
It has implicated ranking police officials including General Oscar Albayalde, Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), based on testimonies of Director General Aaron Aquino of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and retired P/General Benjamin Magalong, now Baguio City mayor.
“Ninja cops” are policemen who “recycle” confiscated illegal drugs, particularly shabu (crystal meth) worth billions of pesos, reselling them to druglords and drug traffickers.
Albayalde was implicated for allegedly protecting and coddling several ninja cops among his men when he was the Provincial Police Office chief in Pampanga.
It’s unbelievable and truly disgusting that once again, we have a PNP chief now under fire for allegations of criminal involvement. But, how can one question the statements of the PDEA chief and Magalong who, ironically are Albayalde's upperclassmen at the Philippine Military Academy.
And while this column was being written, President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed during his trip in Russia that at least two other police generals are still actively engaged in illegal drugs trafficking.
It will be recalled that former P/General Alan Purisima was under suspension in connection with a graft case in 2015 prior to commanding Oplan Exodus which resulted in the massacre of 44 Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano.
These exposé on Ninja Cops might appear like a page ripped from “Probinsyano’s” script but these truly poetic events simply show that truth is stranger than fiction.
It’s funny that in the same blockbuster teleserye, a character named Lily Cortez (portrayed by Lorna Tolentino), a presidential adviser who seduces the president to protect her illegal actitivities. Now a lady Cabinet member is being likened to the voluptuous matrona Lily Cortez after the former engaged President Duterte in a contrived conversation to defend herself from allegations of corruption.
We'll see in the next episode if truth is indeed stranger than fiction.