‘Bato’ awaits you at Bilibid, Duterte warns rogue cops

Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa, outgoing PNP chief, talks to reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday, Apri 18, 2018. (Photo by JHOANNA BALLARAN / INQUIRER.net)

“Bato” is waiting for you in Bilibid.

President Rodrigo Duterte made this stern warning to rogue police officers on Thursday during the retirement ceremony for Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Duterte had earlier said Dela Rosa would be the next chief of the Bureau of Corrections, which is in charge of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“Kayong mga pulis na nasa droga, nasa kidnap for ransom, at kung anu-anong krimen, pagdating niyo sa Bilibid, ang makakasalubong ninyo, si Gen. Dela Rosa,” the President said in his speech.

He was supposed to retire on January 21 this year but Duterte extended his term until April this year.

In December 2017, he warned convicted drug lords at the national penitentiary to stop their drug activities or face severe consequences.

Dela Rosa assumed his post as the chief of the PNP as Duterte rolled out his brutal war on drugs.

The PNP, under Dela Rosa, has been criticized for alleged human rights violations in carrying out the President’s anti-drug and criminality campaign.

But former PNP chief dared his critics to file a case against him and prove their allegations of police abuses carried out under his watch.