Philippine National Police Chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa answers questions during a press conference at Camp Crame, Wednesday. Three high-ranking PNP officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs tagged by President Duterte reported to Dela Rosa to clear their names. (MNS photo)
MANILA, July 7 (Mabuhay) — Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa firmly said Thursday he has no right to question the President Rodrigo Duterte’s naming of top police officials allegedly linked to illegal drug syndicates.
In an interview on News To Go, Dela Rosa said when pressed for comments on Duterte’s dropping of names: “The President is the President. I cannot question his wisdom. Alam niya ang ginagawa niya.”
He has sufficient information to back up his claims, he added.
During the Philippine Air Force’s 69th anniversary on Tuesday, Duterte named Joel Pagdilao, Edgardo Tinio, Vicente Loot, Bernardo Diaz, and Marcelo Garbo Jr. as among police officials linked to drug rings.
Earlier reports, however, said Malacañang had refused to disclose pieces of evidence of Duterte’s claims against former and active police officials, citing the constitutional right of suspects “to due process.”
Asked if the PNP have documents linking the accused to illegal drugs trade, Dela Rosa again said that [the documents] are classified and disclosure to public is prohibited.
“As I’ve said, kung mayroon [man] kaming hawak [na ebidensya] hindi namin sasabihin dahil wala pang nai-file na kaso. Classified ang mga dokumento na ‘yan,” he added.
Under the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Police Commission has already started the probe on the five police officials.
Dela Rosa admitted that Duterte already had a list of drug personalities even before he was elected President.
“Hindi pa ako PNP Chief nandiyan na sa kaniya ‘yung listahan na ‘yan eh. Kandidato pa lang siya may listahan na siya … Ang source niya hindi lang PNP, kundi buong Pilipinas. Lahat ng intelligence agencies ay nagre-report sa kaniya. Lahat ng tao nagre-report sa kaniya,” he said.
On the other hand, Dela Rosa belied claims that Duterte’s bold moves was politically-motivated.
“Mali ‘yun. Ano pa ba hahabulin niya? May reelection pa ba after his 6-year term? Wala na siyang iniisip ngayon kundi kabutihan para sa lahat at bigyan ng saysay ang mga bumoto sa kaniya na ang hangarin ay ma-address ang problem patungkol sa drugs at criminality,” Dela Rosa said.
In an attempt to clear his name, former police official Vicente Loot, now a town mayor in Cebu province, said that the charges against him are part of a black propaganda and politically motivated.
Asked if dropping names of suspects was Duterte’s practice while still Davao City mayor, Dela Rosa, who used to be the city’s police chief, replied: “Dami niyang pinangalanan sa Davao na drug personalities. Wala pang ebidensya sinabi na niya dahil kumpleto ang kaniyang impormasiyon.”
“Lalo na’t para sa kabutihan ng lahat … he is willing to put at stake everything that he has,”he added.(MNS)