Bato: Duterte will find way to keep cops in Espinosa case out of jail
President Rodrigo Duterte, left, places the hat of the new Philippine National Police chief, Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, during the "Assumption of Command" ceremonies at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police headquarters, in Quezon City on Friday, July 1, 2016. AP/Aaron Favila, file
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that President Rodrigo Duterte was just giving his full support when he said that he will not let cops implicated in Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa's killing to be jailed.
Dela Rosa explained that the president will not interfere with charges that National Bureau of Investigation has filed against the 24 members of the Crime Investigation and Detection Group in Region 8 who allegedly killed Espinosa inside his cell in the Baybay sub-provincial in Leyte.
“By saying na ayaw niya ipakulong, the president just wants to express his support for the operating troops on our war on drugs,” the PNP chief explained in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
READ: Rody to Bato: No jail for Espinosa killers
He said that Duterte will observe the rule of law but will also exert all efforts to help the police officers by giving assistance.
“Hahanapan ng paraan (ng presidente) kung paano hindi makulong, baka puwedeng mag-appeal sa issuing court na i-lower ‘yung murder to homicide para makapag-bail,” Dela Rosa said.
“Gusto lang niya iparamdaman sa PNP na 'I’m with you. I’m supporting you in this war on drugs',” he added.
The president said Wednesday that he still stands by the CIDG-8 raiding team that claimed Espinosa and another inmate were killed in a shootout.
READ: Palace: Duterte did not mean he will interfere in Espinosa case
“I will not allow these guys to go to prison. It’s up to the NBI to say it’s murder. After all, NBI is under me. The Department of Justice is also under me,” Duterte said. “I won’t abandon these policemen because I was the one who ordered them (to run after drug personalities).”
Malacañang also said that Duterte will not interfere and is also supporting the filing of cases of NBI against the raiding team.
On his part, Dela Rosa said that he respects the findings of the NBI on his subordinates.
“Andito rin ako to discipline my erring personnel, kung talagang may ginawa silang kasalanan,” Dela Rosa said.
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