Bato to cops: I want more heroes

Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa wants to see more heroes rise from the ranks of the country’s 160,000 policemen as they undertake “the daunting task of ensuring the safety and security of every Filipino.”

But Dela Rosa said they need not give up their lives.

Speaking at a Central Luzon police gathering here on Monday, Dela Rosa said in Filipino: “Just give the people clean and efficient service, always be disciplined, stand fast amid turmoil, show bravery and fortitude in the face of danger, and serve from the heart.”

“In this manner, you unite with the ranks of our heroes,” he said in his visit to honor policemen wounded in antidrug operations.

Aside from awarding them medals, Dela Rosa gave a new Glock 30 45-cal. pistol each to Supt. Jean Fajardo, head of the City of San Fernando police in Pampanga; PO3 Bonifacio Corpuz of the Hermosa police in Bataan; PO1 Rey Anthony Cristobal of the Dinalupihan police, also in Bataan, and PO1 John Christian Solano of Meycauayan police in Bulacan.

“For as long as you do your job well, we will support you all the way. Let us help each other in service to the people,” he said.

The PNP’s 115th anniversary, Dela Rosa said, was a time to renew the ideals of service, honor and justice.

He commended 42 people, among them, policemen who performed well in the antidrug campaign and local government officials who helped the police in the campaign.

The government’s war on drugs has brought down the crime volume to almost 50 percent since July, he said.

He also said the campaign to rid the PNP of scalawags continued, with the reassignment to Mindanao of 77 Central Luzon policemen suspected of ties to the illegal drug trade.

The Philippine National Police chief said policemen would be more merciless toward corrupt colleagues involved in illegal drugs.

“We even prefer to kill our fellows who have betrayed our cause… they have turned traitor,” he said. With an AFP report