‘Bato’ revives kill plot talk: Wealthy general raising bounty

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has confirmed receiving information that a “wealthy general” and some members of the police force involved in the illegal drug trade are raising money for his assassination.

“We have received information na itong heneral na mayaman na ito nakapagipon na ng pera ay pinopondohan na kami para ma-neutralize kami (that this wealthy general has already collected money to fund our assassination),” Dela Rosa said in an ambush interview during his visit at the wake of Special Action Force trooper PO2 Tirso Mantalaba.

READ: Bato bares plot to kill Duterte

When President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in June, reports surfaced that top drug and crime lords are raising bounty for the heads of Duterte and dela Rosa, P50 million each.

READ: 20 crime lords give P50M each to kill-Duterte fund—source

“Iba pa ‘yung threat na galing sa inmates sa loob. Iba pa ‘yung threats na nanggagaling sa kanila. May information lang but still (not) violated ha. Alam mo na, pulis tayo may info na naglalabasan. Nagpo-pondo pondo (The threat from the inmates is different. We have received information but they are still not validated. I am a policeman, of course, I receive information. They are collecting funds),” he said.

Dela Rosa also believes that the “narco-cops” are responsible for some of the killings done vigilante-style to silence their “assets.”

“Pinaiimbestigahan natin. Most likely malaking posibilidad ‘yan (We are having it investigated. It’s a big possibility there’s truth to that),” he said. IDL