MANILA, Philippines – He’s their top cheerleader and supporter when it comes to going all out in the government’s “war against drugs,” but when it comes to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa errs on the side of caution.

“So far, so good. Kung hindi nga natin pinipigilan medyo rumaratsada na ito sila, pero we have some considerations na tinitimbang timbang bago tayo gumawa ng mga hakbangin dahil ayaw nga natin na maulit ‘yung Mamasapano incident, ‘di ba?” Dela Rosa said on Tuesday, August 30, during a visit to the ARMM police regional office in Maguindanao.

(So far, so good. In fact, if we don’t hold them back, they’d be speeding off. But we have some considerations that we factor in before we do anything because we don’t want a repeat of the Mamasapano incident.)

Dela Rosa was referring to a January 25, 2015, clash between elite police from the PNP and armed groups, including fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao. Police were there to arrest wanted terrorists.

However, a flawed plan – including an apparent failure to consider the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF – led to a botched operation that claimed the lives of more than 60 Filipinos, including 44 of the PNP’s own men.

By “complications,” Dela Rosa was referring to operations against illegal drugs that could lead police personnel to areas “controlled by armed groups.”

“Nagkaputukan ‘yan hindi mo na ma-control which is which…kaya siguraduhin natin, siguraduhin muna natin klaruhin natin na hindi masira ‘yung mga ongoing usaping pangkapayapaan,” he added.

(Once a firefight erupts, it’s hard to control. So we’re going to make sure, and we’ll make sure, not to ruin the ongoing peace talks.)

Dela Rosa was among the senior officers tasked to probe the bungled operation. The PNP’s Board of Inquiry and Operational Audit Team both found lapses in the planning and even execution of “Oplan Exodus.”

The PNP general has been making the rounds in many of the country’s police regional offices, partly to encourage cops in the ongoing “war on drugs.”

Police operations against illegal drugs have intensified since President Rodrigo Duterte officially took office. A campaign against crime, illegal drugs, and corruption was among Duterte’s key promises in the 2016 elections.

To date, cops have killed close to 800 drug suspects in operations while arresting close to 13,000 drug personalities. A “knock and plead” campaign has also led to the “surrender” of more than 600,000 drug users and pushers around the country.

“Medyo ingat tayo sa ating mga plano dito para, ‘yun nga, maniguro tayo. Ayaw ko nang magkakaroon ng blunders na ganoon kalaki,” said Dela Rosa. 

(We’re a little careful about making plans because we want to make sure. I don’t want blunders that big to happen.)

The Mamasapano clash was among the lowest points during former president Benigno Aquino III’s term. His approval ratings dipped, and the expected passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law was derailed, in the aftermath of the clash. – Rappler.com