‘Bato’ to treat mayors involved in drug trade as ‘ordinary criminals’

Incoming PNP head Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa. JAYMEE T. GAMIL/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Chief Supt. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has recently warned the 35 local officials allegedly involved in the drug trade that he will treat them just like “ordinary criminals,” urging them to leave their office if they continue to protect drug lords in their areas.

“We will treat them like ordinary criminals. They committed a crime. I don’t care if you’re a mayor. You were elected using your drug money,” Dela Rosa told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame.

Earlier, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte told lawmakers who met with him in Davao City that there are top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and 35 local officials who are involved in illegal drugs. He did not give the names of the officials.

The incoming PNP chief assured that these local officials will not receive special treatment from the police.

“Walang special treatment ito. I-special treatment mo eh mas malaki pa kasalanan niya sa bansa dahil pinili sya na magiging mayor tapos ngayon sya pala drug lord sa lugar nila? Mas malaki kasalanan nya, di ba? So ordinary criminal treatment namin sayo. Kaya pwedeng dahan-dahan ka na lumayas,” he said.

(There would be no special treatment. How could you give someone a special treatment when he has committed a graver sin against the country because he was chosen as a mayor yet he has served as the drug lord in their area? He has has committed a graver sin, right? So we would give you an ordinary criminal treatment. So you might as well leave your post.)

Another way to address drugs in the provinces, according to Dela Rosa, is a massive shake-up in the PNP as he plans to remove at least 15 regional police directors from their posts.

“More or less (15 regional directors) once I assume as PNP chief. There will be a massive reshuffle. Almost all PNP officers,” he said in Filipino.

Dela Rosa said he wants new officers to take on the role of the 15 regional directors, whom he refused to name, because they failed to address the drug problem in their respective areas.

“If they were really performing well, why is the drug situation in our country still the same?” he said.

Dela Rosa said he will personally pick the new regional directors who are bold enough to reject orders from mayors, governors and congressmen protecting drug lords in their areas.

“Dahil nga lumala itong problema natin sa droga dahil marami sa commanders natin takot bumangga. Sabi nila nakapatong dyan si mayor, nakapatong si governor, si congressman. Takot silang bumangga eh. Ilalagay ko ‘yung siguraduhin kong babangga talaga. Hindi natatakot,” he said. RAM

(Our drug problem worsened because many of our commanders are afraid to go against the [drug lords]. They say that the [drug lords] have the protections of the mayor, governor [or] congressman. They are afraid go against the [drug lords]. I would assign people who won’t be afraid to go against the [drug lords]. Those who won’t be afraid.)

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