‘Bato’ on Duterte’s catcalling: Want me to criticize him?

‘THE ROCK’ Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa is called “Bato” (the Rock) for his solid build. JAYMEE T. GAMIL

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Police Chief Superintendent Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday chose to stay silent when asked about his comment on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s catcalling a female reporter.

In a press conference at SM City Davao,  the former Davao City police chief handpicked by Duterte to head the Philippine National Police (PNP) begged off from commenting on the issue.

“You want me to criticize the President?” Dela Rosa said, scratching his head.

Pressed further to comment as a law enforcer, Dela Rosa said: “Sa kanya na lang yun (Let him be).”

Under Duterte’s leadership, Davao City in 1997 passed an ordinance called Women Development Code which aims to legislate gender sensitivity toward women.

Dela Rosa was asked about his reaction to Duterte’s catcalling GMA 7 reporter Mariz Umali during  his first press conference as President-elect at the presidential guesthouse in Davao City Tuesday night.

READ: Reporter shocked by Duterte’s catcalling, doesn’t expect apology

When Umali went up to the microphone to ask a question after Duterte presented his Cabinet to the media, Duterte leered at the reporter, whistled and serenaded her on live television.

Raffy Tima, Umali’s husband, called out Duterte on Facebook to point out that catcalling his wife was “wrong in so many levels.”

READ: GMA reporter scores Duterte for catcalling wife Mariz Umali

Tima in his post, which has gone viral, said he expected that from Duterte but that the latter should have known better as President-elect to respect women.

“I expected that from a Mayor Duterte. I know his reputation well enough not to be shocked by it, but that does not make it right. For someone who espouses leadership by example, catcalling anyone in a press conference with all cameras trained on him defies logic. Then again, that’s Mayor Duterte,” Tima said.

Tima also lamented those who laughed with Duterte and egged the President-elect on, adding that “some jokes are funny and should be laughed at… but disrespecting women is definitely not one of them.” RAM/rga