MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) not to “antagonize” the people in Davao City, warning that they might revolt if this issue is not properly addressed.
According to dela Rosa, Davao residents are intimidated by local cops wearing face masks when conducting regular checkpoint operations in the province.
He said he personally witnessed it when he recently went to his home province and decided to pass by the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Tinanong ko ‘yung patrolman: “Dong, is that face mask part of uniform talaga? Wala namang Covid ngayon, e. Bakit kayong lahat naka face mask? Ano ba ‘yan, intidimidating factor ba ‘yang ginagawa nyo?” dela Rosa narrated during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
(I asked the patrolman: “Is that face mask really part of the uniform? There’s no Covid right now. Why is everyone wearing face masks? Is this some kind of intimidating factor you’re using?”)
There was no response from the patrolman, according to the senator.
As a Davaoeño himself, dela Rosa said he could feel the sentiments of the people in the province and their perception of the local police has really changed.
“You’re trying to arrest one or four persons na co-accused ni Pastor Quiboloy. Siya lang ‘yung hinahanap niyo ‘di ba, but in doing so, you‘re alienating yourself from the rest of the community,” he said, directing his statement to local police present during the hearing.
He was referring to KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy, who has been ordered by Davao and Pasig courts — and even the Senate — to be arrested for qualified human trafficking and other human rights violations being leveled against him.
READ: 2nd Quiboloy arrest order: No bail this time
The alleged “excessive force” used by the police when they tried to arrest KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy last June 10 is the subject of an investigation by the committee headed by dela Rosa.
READ: Senate eyes probe into latest attempt to arrest Quiboloy
Dela Rosa lamented that as a Davao cop for almost his whole life, it pains him to see the people getting angry with the local police.
He then appealed to the PNP and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. to make the necessary adjustments in their police operations in Davao City.
“I’m not trying to impede your operation against Quiboloy because that’s perfectly legal, covered by warrant of arrest ‘yan, pero ‘yung pag-antagonize, mga tao feeling harassed, every time na lang may makita sila checkpoint dun, checkpoint dito, hindi man lang nila makita ‘yung nameplate, naka-mask na ganun,” the senator said.
(I’m not trying to impede your operation against Quiboloy because that’s perfectly legal and covered by a warrant of arrest. But antagonizing the people, they feel harassed every time they see checkpoints everywhere. They can’t even see the nameplates because everyone is wearing masks)
“Very intimidating, Sir. I tell you, pulis ako but at the same time, I’m a Davao local, alam ko ‘yung nararamdanan ko. Kaya pwede ba tayong mag-adjust para maging friendly naman ‘yung police?” he asked.
(It’s very intimidating, Sir. I’m a police officer myself, but at the same time, I’m a local from Davao, so I know how it feels. Can we make some adjustments to make the police appear more friendly?)
Dela Rosa clarified he was not asking the police to stop their checkpoint operations, but it should be done “in a manner that you’re not antagonizing the community.”
“Ang sakin lang ayusin natin, dahil ‘pag hindi natin ito na-address, darating ang punto na talagang baka mag-rebelde ‘yung buong Davao City laban sa gobyerno, laban sa PNP, dahil ako mismo naramdaman ko e,” he said.
(What I’m saying is that we need to address this issue because if we don’t, there might come a point where the entire city of Davao could rebel against the government and the PNP. I’ve felt it myself.)
Abalos promised that he would personally go to the province to talk to the police and address the problem.
Dela Rosa further prodded Abalos to act on this fast before “it erupts.”
“Sasabog ito ‘pag hindi natin aksyunan dahil ang mga tao dun galit na galit na talaga,” he said.
(This issue will explode if we don’t take action because the people there are already very angry.)
NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.