After Tarlac shooting, Bato bats for regular neuropsychiatric tests for cops

MANILA, Philippines — Former police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is pushing for policemen to undergo regular neuropsychiatric tests following the murders in Tarlac committed by a police officer.

Dela Rosa, who led the Philippine National Police (PNP) from July 2016 to April 2018, said the exam should be held yearly as he noted that it is only conducted during recruitment, for schooling, and promotion.

“Puwedeng pagpasok niya sa pagkapulis ay normal siya o wala siyang problema pero habang nasa serbisyo siya, habang pulis siya natuto siyang gumamit ng droga, nasira ang kanyang utak so pwedeng magbago iyong kanyang ugali,” Dela Rosa said Saturday in a televised Laging Handa Public Briefing.

“Kailangan talaga regular ang neuropsychiatric test. Kung puwede yearly e annually,” he added.

Police Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca shot dead his neighbors Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank in Paniqui, Tarlac after a heated confrontation.

The shooting incident was captured on video and has gone viral on various social media platforms with hashtags linked to police abuse.

President Duterte, who in the past has taken the side of policemen, this time lashed out at Nuezca, calling the police officer “crazy” and questioned how he passed the neurological exam for police recruits.

“Isa lang itong klase ng pulis na ito. May sakit ito sa utak. Topak,” Duterte said.

EDV