PNP Chief Director General Ronald Bato Dela Rosa is close to tears while answering a question during a Senate committee probe on Tuesday into the death of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos allegedly by policemen. Dela Rosa decried Senator Risa Hontiveros’ statement on the alleged pattern of police killings in the government’s drug war.(MNS photo)
MANILA, Sept 5 (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday cried, seemingly out of frustration, during the Senate hearing after a senator alleged that there was a government policy to kill drug suspects.
“I am grieving for the majority of my men na nakataya ang buhay nila tapos i-accuse n’yo kami ng polisya na ganun. Masakit. Masakit, your honor,” Dela Rosa told Senator Risa Hontiveros during the Senate public order and dangeour drugs committee hearing on the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos.
“Andyan si Lord, nakikita niya. I’m willing to go back to Davao City ‘pag na-prove mo ‘yan,” Dela Rosa added. “You know me personally, your honor. ‘Di ako papayag na gagamitin ang pulis sa masama.”
Hontiveros’ husband, Francisco Baraquel Jr., was Dela Rosa’s classmate in the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1986.
The top cop also assured Hontiveros that President Rodrigo Duterte, who declared the war on drugs after assuming the presidency, did not order him to tell the police to go on a killing spree of drug suspects.
“Mamatay man ako, walang sinabi sa akin si Presidente na pumatay kayo nang pumatay,” he said. (MNS)