Bato goes for 'quality over quantity' when it comes to cops

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa does not mind losing cops as long as those that remain are devoted to their sworn duty.

Dela Rosa said this in response to constant reports of scalawag cops while the police force's so-called internal cleansing in ongoing.

“Palagi nalang natin isyu ‘yan (scalawag cops) hindi na nawawla. I wonder why araw-araw nalng may nahuhuli ang Counter-Intelligence Task Force,” the nation’s top cop said in his speech at the 116th Police Service Anniversary in Cebu.

READ: PNP probes 1,122 personnel for extortion, drugs

“I don’t care kung maubos ang pulis ko basta ang maiwan lang ‘yung matitino. I am not after the quantity, I’m after quality. Bahala na kung kaunti lang, ‘wag na ‘yung marami pero puro scalawag,” he added.

He encouraged his subordinates to continue their jobs despite criticisms hounding the whole police force.

Kian case

The PNP's reputation was tainted anew after the death of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos in the hands of Caloocan City police.

“Marami na tayong pinagdaanang hirap at hamon. We have prevailed and we will continue to prevail,” dela Rosa continued.

READ: Bato vows cleansing to purge PNP of scalawags

“Bagama’t may mga batikos pa rin sa atin, alam naman natin na mas marami pa rin sa ating mamamayan ang sumusuporta sa atin,” he added.

Since the war on drugs was launched last year, many cases of abuse of power have been reported against the PNP.

They, however, are enjoying the assurance from President Rodrigo Duterte that they will not be jailed as long as they are performing their duties.

Some police officers  – from PO1 to so-called "generals"  – are among the drug users and protectors in the police's own drug list, while others are allegedly engaged in extortion and abduction.