Dela Rosa: ‘We relaxed a bit and terrorists outplayed us’

PAMPANGA, Philippines – Authorities relaxed a bit, and the terrorists were able to launch an attack.

This was how Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa explained the incident in Davao City last Friday night – by comparing the terror attack with a basketball play-off.

“Terrorism is like a play-off series. Naisahan nila kami. Maiisahan din naming sila and ultimately, ang gobyerno ang magcha-champion,” he said during the anniversary celebration of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) in Camp Olivas here on Monday, September 5.

(Terrorism is like a play-off series They got past us. But in time, we’ll catch up, and ultimately the government would emerge as champion.)

“Davao has already experienced series of bombings, noon pa. This is not meant for finger-pointing. I don’t want to point fingers but, siguro nga, to be honest about it, medyo relaxed tayo ngayon kasi matagal na tayong hindi nakatikim ng bomba. Kasi noon ‘pag may sumabog na bomba at naging alerto tayo at nahihirapan silang pumasok sa Davao…. Ngayon medyo nag-relax ng konti pero I am not finger-pointing,” the PNP chief said.

(Davao has already experienced series of bombings, even before. This is not meant for finger-pointing. I don’t want to point fingers but, maybe, to be honest about it, we had become relaxed lately because it had been some time since we had a bombing. Before, when a bomb exploded and we went on high alert, they had difficulty penetrating Davao…. Now, security became a bit lax, but I’m not finger poiting.)

Dela Rosa said that even the United States, with its Central Intelligence Agency and its credible intelligence network, and developed countries like France, had their own taste of terrorist attacks.

Asked by reporters about the text message that had been circulating since August  that 4 women were on mission to bomb populated places in Metro Manila, Dela Rosa said the PNP was checking and responding to the information.

“Ano pang masasabi ko na hindi kami nalusutan, may sumabog na eh. We’re addressing it. Nalusutan tayo, Game 1 pa lang yan. As I’ve said, Game 1 pa lang ‘yan ng series. The directorate units were responding accordingly,” he said.

(What else can I say? Deny that they got past us, when an explosion already occured? We’re addressing it. The scored against us, but this is just Game of the series. The directorate units were responding accordingly.)

Dela Rosa also confirmed that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is seeking the ouster of the city police director.

“That’s true. In fact, she wants to dismantle even Task Force Davao. We will talk. I will see what I can do. I cannot discuss it, that’s between us. That’s what she wants and I, as PNP chief, will talk to her about what our organization can do about it,” Dela Rosa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Dela Rosa said it is not right to put blame on the Davao City police.

“’Wag nating sisihin ang Davao City police dito. Even the President himself did not malign the performance of the Davao City Police Office and the Task Force Davao. They were working very hard. Nalusutan lang talaga,” he said.

(Let’s not blame the Davao City police here. Even the President himself did not malign the performance of the Davao City Police Office and the Task Force Davao. They were working very hard. They just missed this one incident.)

Dela Rosa said the PNP is eyeing 4 persons of interest in the fatal Davao City explosion. – Rappler.com

Check out Rappler’s full coverage of the Davao City explosion.