PNP chief slams bishops over ‘Tokhang theatrics’ comment

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday blasted the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for dismissing as mere “theatrics” the police strategy requiring officers to bring Bibles and rosaries during “Oplan Tokhang” (knock and plead) operations.

“They are bad, aren’t they? I will bluntly tell them that they look down on policemen,” Dela Rosa said of the bishops in a press conference.

“That’s the worst comment I have heard from the religious sector. Our intention is good, but they are making it appear that we are the bad people,” he added.

The PNP chief said the priests and bishops “do not have a monopoly” of the Catholic religion.

“It doesn’t mean that you bishops and priests … are the only ones with the right to hold the Bible and wear the rosary … It does not mean that because we are just policemen, we are not worthy,” said Dela Rosa, who described himself as a “devout Catholic.”

He said the clergy had “alienated many Catholics” with their “own theatrics,” resulting in people renouncing the faith. —Nikko Dizon