Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is proposing new laws, amendments and policy reforms based on the initial Senate investigation on the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
In a statement on Thursday, Dela Rosa, who heads the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee that conducted the inquiry, said the possible new laws and amendments to existing ones are:
*An amendment to the Omnibus Election Code, particularly section 69 on nuisance candidates
*An amendment to the Local Government Code to ensure that the authority to appoint police provincial directors must be with the Philippine National Police and not with the local government officials
*An amendment to the Firearms Law
*A“strong law”that would effectively prevent the organization of private armies.
*A law that would impose the death penalty against erring security personnel who commit heinous crimes taking undue advantage of their training, knowledge, and skills.
He has a pending bill seeking to revive the death penalty targeting large-scale illegal drug traffickers.
“As always, we emphasize that this is in aid of legislation. Paano ba makakatulong ang Senado? Anong mga polisiya ang kailangang gawin at anong batas ang kailangan nating amyendahan?” Dela Rosa said.
(How can the Senate help? What policies are needed and what laws are need to be amended?)
For policy reforms, the senator said there should be strict regulation on the selling and using of military and police uniforms, monitoring of dishonorably discharged military personnel, inventory of loose firearms and updating of the Philippine National Police Standard of Procedures in addressing complaints of the citizens
Dela Rosa’s committee has so far conducted three hearings on the killing of the Negros Oriental governor. He said he plans to conduct one more hearing.
The next hearing, he said, would cover the past and present law and order situation in Negros Oriental.
In the last three hearings, Dela Rosa said the committee already uncovered more killing incidents, land grabbing cases, e-sabong and illegal gambling, intimidation and threat to “uncooperative” authorities, the existence of private armies with unlicensed firearms, and involvement of police personnel in criminal activities and cover-ups.