Duterte pledges support for cops
Turnover ceremony of outgoing PNP chief DG Ronald dela Rosa to new PNP chief DG Oscar Albayalde with guest of honor Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte in Camp Crame. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
President Duterte on Thursday promised he would not let officers go to jail for doing their job but also warned rogue policemen they may have to deal with former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the national penitentiary.
“Just do your job in accordance with the requirements of the law in destroying and perhaps killing the criminals. I will be there for you,” he said in a speech after Dela Rosa handed over command of the PNP to Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde, who was promoted to director general.
“I will never, never allow any military man or police to go to jail unjustly for performing his duties. That you have my commitment,” President Duterte said.
Support Albayalde
He told the police to intensify the antidrug and anticrime campaign and to support Albayalde.
The President also praised the achievements of Dela Rosa, including an “impressive” 22-percent reduction in crime volume nationwide and a 10-percent improvement in the crime solution efficiency rate.
He appointed Dela Rosa as director of the Bureau of Corrections in charge of the New Bilibid Prison.
“You policemen involved in drugs, in kidnap for ransom and in all kinds of crime, when you get to Bilibid, Dela Rosa will be there to welcome you. You get that?” he said.
Stickler for discipline
He said he had chosen Albayalde to head the PNP because he was a stickler for discipline. The new chief did not owe his position to anyone but to his record as an officer, he added.
“And if you would thank anyone, it’s the Lord which gave you the life … to survive the rigors of your occupation as a law enforcer,” President Duterte said.
In his speech, Albayalde vowed to “impose … discipline 24/7” and undertake reforms in the 190,000-strong PNP.
“We will show respect both to ourselves and to the public. Because genuine public service, I believe, is anchored on respect,” he said. “We wear our uniforms properly and with pride, we do not sleep while we are on duty, and we do not betray our oath of office by engaging in illegal activities.”
