Catholic devotees mount the image of the Black Nazarene on a hearse prior to a raucous procession to celebrate its feast day Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Manila. A massive crowd of mostly barefoot Catholics joined an annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ under tight security amidst fears of possible attacks by Islamic extremists. (Photo by BULLIT MARQUEZ / AP)
If Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), could have just one wish to the Black Nazarene, it would be to eradicate the country’s drug problem.
Speaking to reporters at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday, dela Rosa said he would no other wish but to put an end to the scourge of illegal drugs.
“Nasa utak ko palagi na sana matapos na yung drug problem ng Pilipinas,” Dela Rosa said when asked by reporters about his wish when he saw the image of the Black Nazarene.
“Oo palaging wish ko, na sana matapos na yung problema sa droga at lahat tayong Pilipino ay pagtutulung-tulungan na matapos na itong problemang ito,” he added.
Dela Rosa arrived at the procession area late in the afternoon. At that moment, he saw the Andas, or the carriage carrying the holy image, while it was being pulled down from a bridge.
He said it was a thrilling experience to see the Andas right before him.
“Nagtataka kami kung bakit pag-hit namin sa tulay, andun kaagad ‘yun,” Dela Rosa said.
[We are wondering why we reached the bridge, the Andas was there.]
“Nakakatakot. Tumayo balahibo ko, parang tinayming eh. It was not planned, really,” he added.
[It was thrilling. My hair stood out on end. It seemed to be perfectly timed.]
Dela Rosa, who is set to retire from the PNP in March, has been at the helm of the police campaign against illegal drugs that has killed thousands of suspected drug pushers. /atm