Incoming PNP chief: I have list of rogue cops

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, who is expected to be appointed as the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, disclosed yesterday that he has a list of rogue policemen involved in criminal activities that would be purged as part of the cleansing of the police force.

“I have a list of policemen involved in illegal activities, especially drugs, and we will start cleansing as soon as I assume office,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.

Duterte reportedly picked Dela Rosa, currently executive officer of the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, after also considering Chief Superintendent Ramon Apolinario, officer-in-charge of the Mimaropa region, and Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera, deputy chief of the Police Security Protection Group.

Dela Rosa, however, refused to give details pending his formal appointment.

“We have a lot of names in the list. I won’t disclose the names as I might be blamed if a general would die. Not yet,” said Dela Rosa, also known as “Bato” not only due to his muscular physique but because he grew up in Barangay Bato in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

He said the cleansing process is important in the PNP, which has 160,000 members in 18 regions, to ensure that the police force would have the moral ascendancy to enforce the law.

Dela Rosa said he would also work to improve the image of the police and win the trust and confidence of the community.

“If police are credible and when the people trust the police, cooperation will come naturally,” he added.