A heated exchange ensued on Monday between Senator Leila de Lima and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over the President’s order to reinstate a cop allegedly involved in the killing of a mayor in Leyte.
De Lima called out Dela Rosa over President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission that it was he who called the PNP chief to reinstate Supt. Marvin Marcos, the relieved head of a police unit that raided the detention cell of slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
The senator asked Dela Rosa why he did not immediately disclose to the media that it was Duterte who made the call to him.
“Kung hindi po inamin ng Pangulong Duterte na siya talaga ang nagbigay sayo ng order of reinstatement at inipit ka, maybe by this committee o ng kung sino man… ‘yun ho bang plano, that so-called kumpadre; pwedeng sabihin kung sino ang kumpadre na ‘yan?” De Lima asked.
(If President Duterte didn’t admit that he was the one who gave the order of reinstatement and pressed you, maybe by this committee or whoever… that plan by that so-called kumpadre; can you divulge who that kumpadre is?)
“I’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” Dela Rosa said.
But the senator demanded that the police chief identify the “kumpadre” he was referring to in his various media interviews.
“For all you know, your honor, the President is my godfather sa kasal and he’s also my kumpadre,” said the police chief.
“So siya pala ang ituturo mo, eventually and ultimately. Siya pala talaga ang ituturo mo (So he’s the one you’re going to point to, eventually and ultimately)?” De Lima asked again.
“Kung maipit, your honor, sasabihin ko. Magpalit tayo ng position, your honor, ikaw mag chief PNP (If I’m pressed, your honor, I’ll say it. Switch positions with me, your honor, you be the PNP chief)…” said Dela Rosa, who was interrupted by the senator.
“Don’t argue with me! I’m the one asking you a question here. Don’t argue with me,” De Lima said.
“I’ve enough of you, kayong lahat na mga nagsisinungaling (all of you liars)!” she added, pointing at her accusers in the hearing, who included her former aide and partner, Ronnie Dayan, and suspected drug lord, Kerwin Espinosa.
Both Dayan and Espinosa have implicated De Lima in the alleged drug trade. JE/rga
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