Dela Rosa: Names of ‘narco cops’ should be made public

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bato dela Rosa on Tuesday expressed support to the idea of publishing the names of police officers involved in the illegal drug trade, otherwise termed as “narco cops.”

Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that if the government published the list of “narco politicians” it should also release the list of “narco cops” as “they (police) are there to serve and protect not the drug lords.”

“Oo, pwede. Mas maganda isapubliko dahil ‘yung nasa watchlist na congressman, mayor isinasapubliko natin, bakit hindi itong mga pulis? (Yes. It is better if it will be made public because if those congressmen, mayor in the watchlist are being disclosed why not these policemen?)” Dela Rosa told reporters in an interview.

“Dapat kung may unang dapat idiin, itong mga pulis na involved because they are there to serve and protect not the drug lords (If there are those who should be pinned (it should be) those police officers involved because they are there not to serve and protect the drug lords),” he added.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a former chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, earlier revealed that corrupt policemen recycle drugs seized during legitimate operations, a scheme dubbed as “Agaw-Bato,” and do business with convicted drug lords detained in the New Bilibid Prison.

READ: Magalong: Cops, convicted drug lords recycle ‘bato’

He named the “Agaw-Bato” cops during an executive session with senators.

READ: Magalong to name ‘Agaw-Bato’ cops in executive session with senators

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said that during the executive session, Magalong revealed that a high-ranking PNP official is protecting subordinates involved in the illegal drug trade.

However, Magalong did not say whether the official benefited from the alleged illicit activities of his men, Drilon added.

Dela Rosa, however, debunked speculations that the PNP official that Magalong was pertaining to was PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

The senator vouched for the character of Albayalde, saying he would “bet his neck” for the character of the incumbent PNP chief.

“Kilala ko ang tao (Albayalde) (I know him). I had enough confidence when I assigned him as an official. I was very confident,” he said.

“I am betting my neck sa tao na ‘yan (I am betting my neck for that man). Isusugal ko ang aking pagkatao dyan sa kanya (I am betting my dignity for him),” Dela Rosa added. /kga