Bato blames crime syndicates for extrajudicial killings

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” De la Rosa on Monday maintained that the police did not condone extrajudicial killings and blamed crime syndicates for the rising number of summary executions in the country.

“The PNP’s stand against extrajudicial killings is uncompromising. If any cop is found violating the law on self-defense he will be investigated, prosecuted and accordingly punished,” De la Rosa said in his opening statement before the Senate inquiry on the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.

READ: De la Rosa on Senate probe: Nothing to hide in anti-drug drive | Deaths ‘under investigation’ now at 899—Dela Rosa

“On the speculation of vigilante killings, the PNP does not and will not ever condone vigilante killings,” he said.

“I have previously mentioned that these killings are perpetrated by various syndicate groups involved in illegal drugs,” he added.

Therefore, De la Rosa said the PNP would “extend the full force of the law against those responsible for these killings.”

READ: Bato welcomes De Lima move to present witnesses to killings

In previous media interviews, the police chief said the PNP possesses “scientific evidence” that could prove that the deaths were results of “syndicated killing.”

“Magugulat na lang kayo kapag may inilabas kami na data at facts kung sino-sino nagpapatayan. Mayroon tayong scientific evidence leading to that conclusion,” De la Rosa said at a press conference last August 16.

De la Rosa also assured lawmakers that the PNP was “more than willing to adopt the lessons that will come out of this hearing.”

“The PNP remains loyal to our sworn mandate to serve and protect the Filipino people in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.

Citing data from PNP’s monitoring on “Oplan Double Barrel” from July 1 to August 21, the PNP chief said drug-related deaths in police operations rose to 718 while 10,153 drug users and pushers have been arrested in at least 6,000 anti-narcotics operations.

Meanwhile, more than 600,000 drug users and pushers surrendered to the police, he added./rga