Next PNP chief to push for 'double barrel' strategy

MANILA, Philippines (Philippine News Agency) — Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, the incoming chief of the Philippine National Police, will propose to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte a strategy he calls "double barrel," an all-out anti-illegal drugs operational plan.

As soon as he assumes office on Friday, Dela Rosa said he will immediately meet with the newly-designated regional commanders and heads of various police units for a command conference to be presided by the new president.

Dela Rosa the concept is based on a double barrel gun, which fires two in just one squeeze of the trigger. The operation will simultaneously attack big-time drug lords and street-level pushing.

He said the operation's "first barrel" is directed to those at the top, while the "second barrel" is aimed at those in the bottom, which involves reforming drug users who want to get out of addiction.

Duterte earlier walked back on his promise to stop illegal drugs and crime within six months in office. He said he meant to instead merely "suppress" atrocities and illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, also vowed to ask Duterte to have him replace if he fails to put an end to the proliferation of illegal drugs within the given period. Recently, he admitted the task given to him is gargantuan.

While admitting that he is a junior compared to the other qualified senior police officers, Dela Rosa said he could offer his sincerity as head of the national police organization.

"I am giving 100 percent of myself. What I can offer to the public is a clean heart and a clean conscience that I am not connected with any syndicate with vested interest," Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1986, used to be the provincial director of Davao Oriental before he was appointed as director of the Davao City Police. — Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan