PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday disclosed his disappointment and frustration over tips that police officers who fail to solve extra judicial killings of drug personalities be cut of their duties.
“Sana mag-order na si Presidente Duterte na itigil na ito (war on drugs),” Dela Rosa answered when asked by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV why police were unable to solve the slays.
“Kami pagod na pagod na sa trabaho na ito. Sobrang pagod namin gusto ko na ihinto ito, ayoko na. Sana magsabi ang Presidente,” Dela Rosa added.
As an answer to Trillanes’ inquiry, Dela Rosa stressed that all vigilante- style killings were classified as “death under investigation” cases. He said he was also encouraging his men to fast-track their inquest.
Bato admitted that he had the option to relieve cops who failed to immediately solve vigilante killings. However, he said that doing so would be “unfair”.
“Unfair sa amin kung tatangaglin ko iyong nasa death under investigation pero sa kabilang side, nakikita ko ang takbo nila. Natutuwa ang mga tao. Safe na sila sa kanilang tahanan,” Dela Rosa told during the hearing.
Trillanes said he didn’t want the administration to stop the fight against drugs, but only wanted to find out why only small-time suspects are targeted by the said killings.
The senator cited how alleged drug lord and businessman Peter Lim was still able to “walk free”, and Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa ,Sr. was still able to return to his post.
“Iyong aking kampanya, walang pinipili, mayaman o mahirap ka man o burgis ka man,” Dela Rosa rebutted.
Dela Rosa said the PNP had to release Espinosa because the police had no warrant of arrest to continue on confining him.
As for Espinosa returning to his mayorship,
Dela Rosa said the Department of Interior and Local Government, and not the police, should be asked about it.