MANILA, Philippines – The new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) did not mince words in his first speech before the 160,000-strong force he now leads.

“You are with me or you are not with me. If you are with me, then let’s do it. If you are not with me, then you are finished,” Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said in his speech on Friday, July 1, at the Camp Crame Multi Purpose Center. 

Dela Rosa, who was also promoted to the rank of Director General (4-star) from being a Chief Superintendent (1-star) on the same day, will lead the PNP in its mission to stop – or, in the words of President Rodrigo Duterte, “suppress” crime in 3 to 6 months. (READ: Duterte’s ‘Bato’: Who is Ronald dela Rosa?)

It’s among the President’s key campaign promises: to curb crime and solve the country’s drug problem. 

Dela Rosa said he would be “relentless in our internal cleansing efforts.” Addressing the corrupt in the police force, he stressed: “Bilang na ang mga araw ninyo (Your days are numbered).”

The newly-minted 4-star general singled out cops involved in the drug trade themselves. 

Dela Rosa gave “48 hours” to those who made a habit of “recycling” drugs seized during operations to “surrender.” Otherwise, he said, they better go on leave and be a full-time drug lord. 

“Makipag-giyera nalang kayo sa amin (Just go and fight the war against us),” he added. The new PNP chief spent most of his career in the Davao region, and led the anti-illegal drug campaign in Davao City when Duterte was mayor. – Rappler.com