PNP seeks more time to submit drug war documents

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has requested more time to produce the documents being sought by the Supreme Court (SC) on the government’s war on illegal drugs.

Outgoing PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he signed yesterday a letter requesting Solicitor General Jose Calida to ask the SC to give the police ample time to prepare the documents.

“We are not yet ready, that’s why we asked for an extension,” Dela Rosa told CNN Philippines.

Dela Rosa did not say how long an extension the PNP had requested.

The SC affirmed on April 3 a decision the court issued in December ordering the PNP to submit the documents on the killings in connection with the anti-drug campaign of President Duterte. The high tribunal gave the police 15 days upon receipt of the order to comply.

Duterte’s critics have accused his administration of irregularities in the conduct of the war on drugs.

Dela Rosa explained that the PNP needs more time to produce the documents which he said are voluminous. The government said some 4,075 suspected drug pushers and users have been killed during police drug enforcement operations since Duterte assumed office on July 1, 2016.

While they are willing to follow the SC’s order to prove that the police are not hiding anything, Dela Rosa said they still need to get Duterte’s approval.

“Our intention is to comply but again we have to seek the guidance of the President. If he says no, so what now? Who will I follow? I will follow the President,” he said.

Incoming PNP chief Director Oscar Albayalde agreed with Dela Rosa, saying they have to follow the order of their commander-in-chief.

“It will depend on the decision of the commander-in-chief because we are under him,” Albayalde told GMA-7’s News To Go program.

Albayalde insisted they are ready to submit the documents required by the SC.

“We are preparing all the documents just in case we have the go signal from the commander-in-chief,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he is ready to face charges that could be filed against him in relation to the government’s war on illegal drugs.

“I have the balls to face anything that you are going to charge against me,” said Dela Rosa.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Dela Rosa should answer for the thousands of suspected drug pushers and users that have been killed since President Duterte launched his crackdown on illegal drugs.

The human rights group said Dela Rosa is leaving behind a police force “with a sordid human rights record unmatched since the Marcos dictatorship.”

Dela Rosa dared critics to file cases against him if they have evidence of irregularities in the government’s war on drugs.

He also dismissed the statement of HRW that human rights violations during his tenure as PNP chief are unmatched since the time of Marcos.

“They can say whatever they want. We can prove ourselves,” said Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa said critics should also report the police officers who have been killed in armed encounters during antidrug operations.