PNP defends Bato on conflicting info on Resorts World attack

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was just relaying developing information to the media during the height of the Resorts World attack when he gave statements that seemed to contradict each other, an official explained.

Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesperson , defended his boss on Tuesday and said that dela Rosa just tried to update the public on developments after an armed gunman stormed the hotel and casino in Pasay City last week. The gunman also set gaming tables on fire, the smoke from which is believed to have killed 37 clients and staff of the gambling complex.

“I don’t think it’s an irresponsible issuance of statement,” Carlos said in a televised press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“The chief was on the ground and the information comes in... and it’s a developing situation, so the information that comes in, he tried to share it with the people who are asking, especially the media,” he added.

Dela Rosa was criticized for giving what unverified information regarding the incident, which claimed 38 lives, including that of the gunman.

The PNP chief said that the “foreign-looking” suspect was killed by “our troops” but then clarified that the gunman committed suicide in a room at the fifth floor of Maxims hotel.

Resorts World COO Stephen Reilly, in a separate interview, said that their security personnel were able to shoot and wound the gunman later identified as Jessie Carlos, a former Department of Finance employee and a Filipino.

Dela Rosa also said that a member of the casino’s security was hurt after accidentally shooting himself in panic. Reilly, however, denied that there was such an incident.

The conflicting statements earned dela Rosa, also known as Bato, criticism on social media

Bato's conflicting claims re RW Manila, coupled by his unquenchable thirst for TV publicity, belie the existence of his credibility.

— Your Lawyer Says (@YourLawyerSays) June 3, 2017

What makes it worse are the conflicting reports.Bato shouldn't be giving statements while investigation still on then retracts later.

— jose romero (@romerojo7) June 3, 2017

Paano po ba maipaparating kay Bato na and tanga tanga nya. Conflicting theories. Papogi lagi.

— lance (@lance_me) June 2, 2017

The PNP spokesperson explained further that the PNP let the National Capital Region Police Office handle the situation after they determined that the attack was not an act of terror.

“Pansinin ninyo, after that, hindi na po nag-iissue at the national level because they are the ones conducting the investigation and the progress of the investigation is being given to us by the district director himself,” he said.