‘Bato’ to Bicol cops: Stay motivated, committed to serve amid criticisms
CAMP GENERAL SIMEON OLA, Legazpi City — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to maintian their morale, drive and commitment to serve amid harsh criticisms on the supposed involvement of a number of police officers and illegal/criminal activities.
Dela Rosa, who graced the 116th Police Service anniversary rites here, said that the PNP will go full steam ahead in the war on drugs and other crimes.
Keep your heads up “Sa gitna ng mga patuloy na batikos sa kapulisan nitong mga nakaraang buwan, ang pakiusap ko sa bawat miembro ng Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) ay huwag kayong mawalan ng lakas ng loob sa paglilingkod sa bayan,” Dela Rosa said.
An emotional Dela Rosa later cited the major accomplishments of the national police force on the war on drugs, which were somewhat tarnished by erring police officers.
Going after scalawags
“Let me emphasize that we will continue to go after police scalawags who are destroying the image of the PNP. Sa mga pulis na nagpupumilit gumawa ng katiwalian hindi kayo makalusot at sisiguraduhin ko na pananagutan ninyo ang mga kalokohan ninyo,” he stressed.
He then asked Bicol police officers if they are willing to be transferred to Caloocan City in Metro Manila, after the entire Caloocan PNP was relieved.
“Kaya dito, I am recruiting kung sino ang gustong mag-volunteer magpa-assign sa Caloocan City Police Station, isyuhan ko kaagad kayo ng order immediately. We need 1,000 policemen to fill up Caloocan Police Station, dahil ni-relieve natin lahat yung buong puwersa ng Caloocan City,” he narrated.
Dela Rosa reiterated that only a small percentage of police officers are involved in irregularities.
“Hindi naman natin sinasabi na perpekto tayo, mayroon kasamahan pa rin tayo na masama, mayroon tayong mga kasamahan na gumagawa ng kalokohan, but iilan lang yan sila. Napaka-konti lang yan kumpara sa atin,” he explained.
A mere 2%
Dela Rosa disclosed that out of 175,000-strong PNP force, only 2 percent are scalawags, mostly assigned in Metro Manila.
“Kami, 175,000 kami nationwide, at least 1 percent ay 1,750, gawin nating 2 percent. Yun lang, konti lang, mina-magnify lang talaga. Wherein, hindi rin naman kami naghahanap ng excuse dahil mali naman talaga. Being a policeman you are expected to do the right thing, kaso pag nagkamali ka, nama-magnify nadadamay yung mga matitinong pulis,” he pointed out.
He also said internal cleansing of ranks is underway to restore the good image of police.
It’ll take time “Pilitin namin na malinis yung hanay talaga namin. As I’ve said we cannot do it overnight, we cannot do it in one month, two months, in six months or one year. One year has passed already, so one year na kami sa administration na ito at mayroon pa rin na gumagawa,” he said.
Issue with the media Dela Rosa also chided members of the media for somewhat magnifiying the abuses of police officers but seemingly turning a blind eye on the good deeds and heroism of others.
He cited the case of yet another Caloocan city police officer who had an encounter with a drug-crazed resident last week.
“…Pinuntahan niya, nakita niya yung adik na may kutsilyo pinapasurrender niya, instead of surrendering inassault siya, nung inassault na siya ayaw talaga kalabitin yung baril, hanggang sa masaksak siya ng tatlong beses saka pa lang niya pinaputukan. Tinanong ko nga siya kung bakit hindi niya binaril, at kailangan pang masaksak siya.”
“Sabi niya sa akin, ayaw na daw niya dagdagan yung problema, at ayaw na daw niyang dagdagan yung sakit ng ulo ko at hirap na hirap na daw akong depensahan yung Caloocan police. Pasalamat na lang tayo na may recording ng CCTV na nag-bail him out. Yung nangyari sa PO1 na yun na sinaksak ng adik, mina-magnify ba ng media? Ewan ko kung nabalita yun. Hindi binalita, dahil hindi pala patok sa media yan. Ang tabo sa kanila yung abuso ng pulis. Hindi nila binabalita yung heroism,” he said.
The said incident was covered and published by the Manila Bulletin and Manila Bulletin online.