‘Bato’ to pursue ‘double-barrel’ strategy vs drugs

MANILA, Philippines – A “double-barrel” strategy of simultaneous attacks against notorious drug lords and street level pushers will be applied by Chief Supt. Ronald De la Rosa, the incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

De la Rosa said he would present the mechanics of the strategy to incoming president Rodrigo Duterte during the first command conference set on Friday. This is to be held at the main conference room of the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“The double-barrel strategy means we will be attacking the problem against drug lords and the level of the street, pushing simultaneously,” De la Rosa said, describing his policy as being like that of a double-barreled shotgun that can fire two rounds with a single pull of the trigger.

“One pull of the trigger can hit the high-value target while the other barrel would also hit those at the street level,” he said.

The strategy appeared to be Dela Rosa’s response to apprehension that policemen only arrest and neutralize street level pushers and allow the principal players to escape.

Duterte is set to preside over his first command conference at Camp Crame tomorrow, a day after his inauguration.

De la Rosa vowed a top-to-bottom revamp as soon as he takes over the helm of the national police organization on July 1.

“There will be an extensive revamp in the entire Philippines. We will identify who among the police commanders must be replaced,” he announced.

“I will personally choose who will be there because if they fail, I would be personally responsible for not doing their job,” he said.

Reports said that 15 of the 18 regional police directors will be replaced.

De la Rosa stressed he needs police commanders who are committed to Duterte’s policy to reduce, if not eliminate, the trade in illegal drugs within the first three to six months of his administration.

Aside from police regional directors, chiefs of police of cities and towns will also be replaced.

De la Rosa said he already has a list of rogue cops involved in criminal activities, as he vowed to prioritize internal cleansing in the police organization.

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

However, he refused to divulge more details, pending his formal assumption into office.

De la Rosa stressed internal cleansing is important in the PNP organization with 160,000 members in 18 regions nationwide to ensure police officers have the moral ascendancy to enforce the law.