CBCP exec tells PNP chief to ‘study’ first as next prisons chief

Do your homework first, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) advised the country’s top cop over remarks that the latter made on the country’s drug problem.

“I think it will be a lot better for [outgoing Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa] to have an in-depth study and analysis of the issues confronting the penal system before proposing a solution,” said Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care.

Earlier, the tough-talking police chief said he would bring his fight against illegal drugs when he takes on his next assignment as director of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Dela Rosa, who was scheduled to retire next week, said he would ask drug lords in jail to swear by the Bible that they would cease their illegal activities.

As PNP chief, Dela Rosa led the government’s bloody war on drugs, which has claimed thousands of lives in police operations and vigilante killings.

Diamante said that illegal drugs was not the only problem that awaited the incoming BuCor director.

“He should engage those who know the situation in as much as he has not been in the correction pillar. He should consult with experts in penology and we are not wanting in them,” the CBCP official said.

In Tacloban City, Dela Rosa said he had “no regrets” in his post as PNP chief, except for the policemen who died during the antidrug war.

“I am very happy. I am very thankful to the President for appointing me to the PNP and for giving me all the support that he could give,” Dela Rosa said on Thursday night.

“[Now that I am about to retire], I am very sad. I love the job. I love everything about the PNP,” said the outgoing police chief who visited Camp Ruperto Kangleon, the PNP headquarters in Eastern Visayas based in Palo town, Leyte, as part of what he called his “farewell tour.”

Among the accomplishments of the 170,000-strong organization, Dela Rosa cited was “bringing the PNP closer to the people and restoring their trust in the men in uniform.” —With a report from Joey A. Gabieta