Dela Rosa tells Davao policemen to ‘help’ him in Caloocan

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday, September 18, asked police officers here to volunteer to be reassigned to Caloocan City, where the entire police force was replaced. 

“Who wants to volunteer? Raise your hand because I’ll serve the order right at this moment,” he told the police officers from Region 11 who attended the 116th police service anniversary,

Dela Rosa pinned medals on several heads of regional units who were awarded for their accomplishments as law enforcers.

“Believe me, I really need you because I’ve seen the difference between Davao and Metro Manila police, particularly Caloocan,” said Dela Rosa, who was chief of the Davao City Police Office prior to his appointment as head of the PNP.

Last week, PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde announced the relief of the entire 1,000-member Caloocan police force following the string of suspicious killings that implicated the police station. These included the high-profile deaths of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos and 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz. (READ: Kian and Carl: What the deaths of two boys have in common)

The Metro Manila Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) personnel will be temporarily replacing the Caloocan police force.

“Perhaps if you (Davao police) are there, they would not be able to find anything to hurl against us,” Dela Rosa said, referring those criticizing the PNP.

Incentives

At a press conference, Dela Rosa said he was considering talking with the mayor of Caloocan City to come up with incentives for officers who would volunteer to be moved out from Davao City.

He said he was open to the idea of providing free housing and groceries for the families of the reassigned officers, since reassigning them would create several psychological and economic “dislocations.”

“It will be a huge dislocation for their families and children. I’ll talk to the Caloocan (local government unit). I’ll find a way,” he said. – Rappler.com