Dela Rosa to Senate witnesses vs cops: Stay in the ‘White House’

Bea Cupin

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Dela Rosa to Senate witnesses vs cops: Stay in the ‘White House’

LeAnne Jazul

'We are here to protect you. You don’t need to worry,' the PNP chief tells relatives of drug suspects allegedly killed by cops involved in the illicit trade

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police chief Director Ronald dela Rosa has offered his official residence, the “White House” in Camp Crame, as temporary shelter for grieving relatives of those allegedly killed by errant cops in the government’s war on drugs.

Dela Rosa made the offer on Tuesday, August 23, during a Senate hearing on alleged cases of summary executions by police in the midst of a “war on drugs.”

The PNP chief made the statement after Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV asked him if he could assure the safety of Mary Rose Aquino, whose parents were supposedly killed by Antipolo police. Aquino had earlier said that her parents, admitted drug pushers, died in the hands of cops also involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“We are here to protect you. You don’t need to worry,” Dela Rosa told the relatives of slain drug suspects.

“Come to me. I’ll let you stay in the White House. You’ll be safe there,” he added.

Dela Rosa and the PNP’s top officials were in the Senate on Tuesday for the second day of the Senate’s probe into the rise of killings as the new administration waged its war against illegal drugs.

As of August 22, 756 drug personalities have been killed in police operations around the country. Close to 700,000 drug users and pushers have surrendered while over 11,700 users and pushers, have been arrested.

Aquino and another resource person had earlier said that their loved ones were killed by cops in apparent summary executions.

Dela Rosa had earlier relieved Antipolo police allegedly involved in the case of Aquino’s parents. They will be investigated by the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service.

The police general had earlier played host to Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, an alleged drug protector, when the mayor surrendered to Dela Rosa. Dela Rosa evicted Espinosa and members of his family after his son, alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, failed to surrender to authorities.  – Rappler.com

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.