Sen. Ronald dela Rosa (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief turned Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa gave the Philippine National Police three months to eradicate fly-by-night or colorum security agencies.
Talking to Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sanggalang, the officer in charge of PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), dela Rosa said they should end sham security firms.
“I am giving you three months. After three months, let’s have a hearing here. If Senator [Raffy] Tulfo still monitors fly-by-night operators, you will be held responsible,” dela Rosa said, speaking partly in Filipino, during the Senate’s Tuesday hearing.
Before dela Rosa’s prodding, Sanggalang,admitted that fly-by-night operators remain SOSIA’s biggest problem.
Dela Rosa, however, maintained that SOSIA could eradicate these shady agencies as it was able to handle the contentious drug war.
“Maybe some of your people are receiving money from these fly-by-night firms. That’s why they still exist. They won’t exist if you crush them. You were able to do it during the war on drugs — you were able to defeat drug personalities. But why can’t you combat these security agencies that have a semblance of legality because their offices are established?” dela Rosa said.
Later in the hearing, Senator Raffy Tulfo joined dela Rosa in his call to eradicate these agencies. Tulfo blamed SOSIA for the existence of these firms, saying they should have done their job correctly.
“You said you’re monitoring. Bullshit. Why monitor? You should start arresting them. Why are you still monitoring which agencies you can still collect money from? That’s unacceptable,” Tulfo, speaking partly in Filipino, told Sanggalang.
Senator JV Ejercito, who was also present during the hearing, backed his fellow lawmakers, pointing out that fly-by-night firms were “armed” and “illegal.”
Sanggalang, on the other hand, emphasized that SOSIA would intensify its operations against these firms.