Dela Rosa to ‘narco-cops’: I’ll deal with you personally

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – After President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he has over 11,000 names of police in his new “narcolist,” Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa once again warned those who are involved: they will have to deal with him personally.

In his speech during the 115th Police Service Anniversary celebration of the Cagayan Valley police regional unit in Tuguegarao City on Friday, September 30, Dela Rosa said the cops involved in illegal drug trade are “worse than criminals.”

“Kaya umiwas talaga kayo [sa illegal drug trade]. I tell you, kapag kayo’y involved, pepersonalin ko kayo. Mark my word. Pepersonalin ko kayo. Hindi ito trabaho lang, personal na talaga ito dahil ayaw ko talaga na meron tayong kasamahan na ma-involve,” Dela Rosa said.

(So you should really avoid [the illegal drug trade]. I tell you, if you’re involved, I will deal with you personally. Mark my word. I will deal really deal with you personally.This is not just a job anymore for me because I really don’t want any of us to be involved.)

“We have sworn to serve and protect, tapos tayo pala involve sa sindikato, hindi po katanggap-tanggap. Talagang mamamatay kayo (We have sworn to serve and protect, and we’re the ones involved in syndicates, that’s not acceptable. You will really die),” he added.

Dela Rosa said the PNP is already facing shameful conditions and the “good cops” should work to uphold their sworn duty.

He also warned the police never to enter the illegal drug trade by receiving money, telling them not to exchange the country’s safety over the luxuries of cash.

“Mas marami pa pala tayong kasamahan sa ating hanay na sangkot sa iligal na droga…Hiyang-hiya na tayo sa mga pangyayari. But still, kailangan nating itayo yung ating bandera. Mas marami tayong mababait at mabubuti at matitino,” he said.

(A lot of our comrades are also involved in illegal drugs. We are already embarrassed about what has happened. But still, we have to raise our flags because there are still a lot of us who are kind-hearted, good, and clean.)

Dela Rosa, in his speech, also praised the Cagayan Valley regional police unit as the “best” among regional police in the country.

According to him, PNP-Cagayan Valley acting Regional Director Gilbert Sosa was the one who named him “Bato” prior to his assignment as the country’s top cop. – Rappler.com