Bato vows to finish off bike-riding killers

MANILA, Philippines — After being removed from the government’s war on illegal drugs, the Philippine National Police will focus on ridding the country of motorcycle-riding killers, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

He also expressed doubt that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which President Duterte chose to lead the drug war, would be able to handle the task on its own.

At a forum in Quezon City, Dela Rosa said motorcycle-riding killers have to pay for what they did.

“Upakan namin kayo, ubusin namin kayo. Hahanapin namin kayong mga riding in tandem (We will strike a blow against you, we will finish you off. We will hunt down those riding in tandem),” he said.

Sen. Tito Sotto has proposed a bill to address the “alarming rise” in crimes committed by motorcycle riders, which reached 3,000 in 2016 alone.

Dela Rosa said the PNP is also verifying information that “ninja cops” are financing motorcycle-riding killers to tarnish the PNP’s image.

Ninja cops are police officers involved in recycling seized illegal drugs or protecting drug dealers.

Hands tied

Dela Rosa said he is simply echoing the doubts expressed by PDEA officials themselves.

“I am confident but they themselves doubt their capability in handling what the PNP left behind,” he said.

Last week, Duterte directed the PNP, along with the National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Customs and other agencies to refrain from spearheading drug operations.

Sought for comment, PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said he understands where Dela Rosa is coming from. He said it is high time that the PDEA increase its strength and improve its capabilities.

PDEA only has 1,038 agents compared to the 175,000-strong PNP.

“We will do our best to meet expectations. We can still tap the AFP and PNP for support. I know that this will only be a temporary arrangement,” he said in a text message.

Dela Rosa, however, said the PNP’s hands are tied and the police force will be “hands off” on all anti-drug operations unless PDEA requests the PNP’s assistance.

He also said that he will ask the President to return the PNP to the drug war if selling shabu again becomes as easy as selling candy.

Dela Rosa said people should not expect a change in the way the PNP operates should the police be returned to the drug war.

“If they do not want the war on drugs to be violent or bloody, then tell them to stop selling drugs. Stop fighting it out with police. That is why we waged the war on drugs: we value life,” he told reporters.