Gordon calls PNP chief ‘Bato-gan’ for not addressing ‘riding-in-tandem’ slays

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (left) and Senator Richard Gordon. INQUIRER, AP FILE PHOTOS

From “Bato” to “Bato-gan”?

An exasperated Senator Richard Gordon called out Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa for failing to address the riding-in-tandem killings in the country.

“General Bato, fix the killings of people riding on motorcycles. Alagad kayo ng batas, ayusin niyo ang batas hindi ang kabaro niyo,” Gordon said in an interview on Thursday.

Gordon was calling out the police chief for allowing the reinstatement of Supt. Marvin Marcos and 18 other cops involved in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

The senator said Dela Rosa should have told President Duterte that it would be detrimental to the police force if Marcos would be brought back to service.

If the killings would continue, Gordon said he would call Dela Rosa, who earned monicker “Bato” for his tough image, by the name “Bato-gan” (slacker).

“That must be addressed by General Bato. Babaguhin ko na pangalan ni General Bato, lalagyan ko na ng ‘Gan’ para ‘Batogan,’” Gordon said.

The senator also expressed concern over the killing of a provincial health officer in Cavite, who was gunned down last Tuesday by motorcycle-riding men.

“Ang daming namamatay wala silang ginagawa. They will serve the President and this country better if they do their job,” he said. JE