PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa evaded the question when he was asked from which government fund did President Duterte source his Christmas bonus, estimated to be worth millions of pesos, for top police officials.
“Huwag na kayo magtanong kung saan galing. Basta hindi ‘yan galing sa drugs (Don’t ask where it came from. Just know it didn’t come from drugs),” Dela Rosa said in a press conference at Camp Crame on Monday.
Dela Rosa, however, made a guess and said, “Galing siguro ‘yan sa intelligence fund ng Presidente (It may have come from the President’s intelligence fund).”
He then said that at least, the President’s intelligence fund, which is supposed to be used in major intelligence operations, “could be felt by the police.”
Before the press conference, Dela Rosa, during a Christmas party for Crame-based officers and their family, announced that President Duterte would give key PNP officials a bonus of from P50,000 to P400,000.
READ: Key police officials get P50k to P400k bonus from Duterte
Being the only PNP official with a four-star rank, Dela Rosa said he will receive P400,000. Francisco Uyami and Ramon Apolinario, who both have ranks of Deputy Director General, a three-star rank, will receive P300,000 each. All officers with Police Director or two-star rank will receive P200,000.
Chief Superintendent or star-rank officers in the PNP directorial staff, regional and provincial directors and heads of national support units down will also receive P100,000 each.
Key officials with ranks of Senior Superintendent below will each receive cash above P50,000.
A police official, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told INQUIRER.net that the distribution of cash gifts to police officials would be unfair for lower-ranking officers who directly take part in operations against drugs.
“Aren’t police officers who put themselves in the line of fire more deserving of the reward than the officials?” he said.
Another officer, who also asked not to be named, said the millions of pesos spent for the Christmas bonuses of high-ranking officials should be instead spent to improve the equipment used by operating forces on the ground.
“If you would estimate the total amount of cash gifts the officials will receive, that would be millions of pesos. They could at least spend that to buy new equipment for the troops operating for the government’s drug war,” he told INQUIRER. net over the phone.
But Dela Rosa said critics should not make an issue out of Duterte’s bonus for the police, adding that he regrets announcing it in public.
“I just want to make my people happy, gagawan pa ng issue. Mabuti pa hindi ko na ‘yan in-announce. I just want to be transparent. Kung hindi magbigay, walang issue. Ngayong binibigay para happy ‘yung pulis sa trabaho, gagawan ng issue,” Dela Rosa said.
(I just want to make my people happy, yet there’s an issue about it. It would have been better if I didn’t announce it. I just want to be transparent.When it wasn’t given, there was no issue. Now that we’re giving it so the police are happy with their jobs, there’s an issue.) JE/rga