‘Bato’ defends police in Rodriguez bust shootout: Did slain cop shoot self?

MANILA, Philippines —  If there was no shootout, then how come a police officer died in the June 30 drug buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal?

Neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa came to the defense of the police officers involved in the operation that resulted in the death of three-year-old Myka Ulpina when her father, Renato, allegedly used her as a human shield.

READ: 3-year-old girl hit in drug buy-bust crossfire dies

Renato,a drug suspect, and his still unidentified companion, as well as the undercover police officer, Senior Master Sergeant Conrad Cabigao, were also  killed in the gunfight.

But the girl’s mother reportedly denied that there was a shootout.

“Ganun naman talaga yan palagi na kini-claim palagi nang namatayan na walang… E bakit may namatay na pulis?” Dela Rosa, , former head of the Philippine National Police, said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

“May namatay man kayang pulis. Paano namatay yung pulis? Binaril nya sarili nya?” he asked.

Dela Rosa pointed out that in an “imperfect world,” an incident like this could not be avoided.

“Sino bang may gusto…? Ikaw ba, pulis ka gusto mo may bata tamaan? Kasi ikaw may anak ka rin, hindi mo gustong may mangyari na ganun,” Dela Rosa said.

“Pero shit happens. During operation, shit happens,” he said.

READ: 20 Rodriguez, Rizal cops relieved over death of minor

The senator, who is being eyed to be next chair of the Senate committee on public order, nevertheless expressed readiness to probe the incident when the 18th Congress opens on July 22.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)