Bato: No repeat of Mamasapano debacle under my watch

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa on Friday said he would never allow “a second Mamasapano,” or the ill-fated operation that led to the death of 44 elite cops, to happen under his watch.

De la Rosa, along with top police officials, graced the Special Action Force (SAF)’s memorial day at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

In an ambush interview, the police chief described the fallen members of the SAF as “modern-day heroes” who had been through tough situations and challenges.

“They are our heroes. Modern-day heroes. Masyadong naghirap itong mga tao na ito. Itong unit na ito marami silang pinagdaanan so dapat na parangalan natin sila,” he said.

The elite police unit lost 44 of its well-trained members in the Mamasapano operation against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir in January 2015.

He said that although he could not completely assure that public that major blunders in operations would not happen, he said: “Major decisions that would lead to major tactical errors or blunders, under my watch, pipilitin ko na hindi mangyari ’yan.”

De la Rosa played a key role in the investigation of the deadly Mamasapano incident when he was tapped to join the Board of Inquiry led by then Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Deputy Director General Benjamin Magalong, who is now the PNP’s third in command.

“Alam ko yung hardship na dinaanan nila dahil I was part of the Mamasapano BOI at lahat ng survivor, isa-isa kong nakausap at narinig ko ano pinagdaanan nila,” he said.

At some point during the investigation, De la Rosa said he could not help but break down in tears whenever he heard the stories of Mamasapano survivors.

“Nag-iyakan pa kami doon habang nagi-interview sa kanila eh. Hindi namin kaya mapigilan ‘yung luha namin habang nakikinig doon sa account na ni-nanarrate ng mga survivor, paano namatay mga kasamahan nila. Nag-iyakan kami doon sa loob ng conference room,” De la Rosa recalled./rga