Bato pep talk: Respect rights, outgun suspects

Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa

PALO, Leyte—Respect for human rights and killing criminals during clashes are two ideas that Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief, don’t find incompatible.

In a speech to policemen at the regional PNP headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon here, Dela Rosa reminded policemen about respecting the rights of drug suspects and the need to “triple” efforts to win the war on drugs.

Dela Rosa said accusations of wanton violations of suspects’ rights during the antidrug campaign will not deter the Duterte administration from achieving its objective of wiping out the drug menace in six months.

Criminals over cops

“Despite the criticism, let us just do our job and do it well,” Dela Rosa said.

“But respect for human rights should always prevail,” he said in his speech before the officers and men of the regional police.

Dela Rosa, however, said he prefers to see criminals than policemen killed in the drug war.

“As I have said time and again, during an encounter, once the smoke clears, I want to see the cop standing and the criminal lying on the pavement,” he said.

He exhorted the policemen to make sure they violate no law during antidrug operations, even during the effectivity of the state of lawlessness that President Duterte declared on Sept. 3 in reaction to the bombing of the night market in Davao City that killed 15 people and wounded 69 others.

Double time

During the campaign and shortly after being declared winner of the presidential elections, Mr. Duterte vowed to wipe out the drug menace in six months.

Dela Rosa said police have to work double time since they only have four months left before the deadline set by the President.

He said of 1.8 million drug users in the country, more than 700,000 had surrendered under “Oplan Tokhang.”