Drug cops snub ultimatum, to face Abu Sayyaf

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in a press briefing at PNP headquarters on Monday, July 4. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato’ dela Rosa expected at least 20 erring policemen to surrender within the 48-hour ultimatum he had set but not one showed up.

Deeply angered, Dela Rosa said he would just send them to fight the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Basilan or Tawi-Tawi.

“Deep inside my heart, galit ako,” he said. “Tatahimik na lang ako. Wala nang maraming salita.”

The new police chief said he was surprised that none of the 20 policemen he expected to surrender heeded his call, which he made on his first day in office last Friday.

“I will send them to Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi to fight the Abu Sayyaf.” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at the PNP headquarters on Monday morning.

According to Dela Rosa, the 20, some of whom held sensitive positions, were engaged in corruption, illegal drug activities or were involved in “syndicates that need to be looked into.”

“Hindi naman lahat drugs ‘yung involvement. Mayroon din iba diyan na patong sa ibang sindikato na kailangan nating bigyan ng pansin,” he said.

In his inaugural speech last Friday, Dela Rosa warned unscrupulous lawmen, particularly those assigned in Metro Manila, who coddled drug lords or bragged about being “ninjas” who recycled drugs seized during police operations.

The police chief said he would just work quietly and surprise scalawags with his next move./rga