Ronald Dela Rosa: Death for police found guilty of murder

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now senatorial candidate Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa wants the death penalty imposed on police officers found guilty of committing murder, especially in the name of the government’s war on illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa, who was President Duterte’s chief enforcer of the war on illegal drugs, said policemen who kill hapless suspected criminals deserve no less than capital punishment.

“We all have the right to live. If it will be proven that (the policeman) executed the (suspect in) cold blood, maybe it can be included in the (crimes punishable by death),” he said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News channel on Wednesday.

Dela Rosa has been a supporter of the death penalty for drug traffickers and corrupt politicians. He vowed to spearhead efforts to bring back capital punishment if he wins a seat in the Senate.

Dela Rosa said pushers in possession of at least one kilo of shabu should be meted the death penalty, along with politicians found guilty of plunder.

“I am proposing (death penalty for drug traffickers) kasi wala nga mahirap na (there is no poor) drug trafficker,” he said.

Sought for comment, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said they respect Dela Rosa’s opinion.

“As a law enforcement agency, the PNP will enforce, without fear or favor, all laws of the land and whatever law that Congress may pass in the future,” Durana said in a text message.

If elected to the Senate, Dela Rosa also vowed to be a defender of Duterte and his policies, chiding human rights groups that have been critical of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa accused human rights advocates of siding with suspected criminals and enemies of the state while turning a blind eye on atrocities committed against the country’s security forces.

“Police and soldiers should have human rights too. Why are you only concerned about the rights of criminals and NPA (New People’s Army)?” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.

“The lives of police and soldiers don’t matter to you. You have neglected us,” he added.

While accepting that senators should be independent, Dela Rosa admitted he could never disassociate himself from Duterte, who has been his boss since the Chief Executive’s stint as mayor of Davao City.

“I cannot do away with that identity. I will always be identified with the President,” he said, including Duterte’s friendliness with China despite its aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.

“Why so much distrust with China?” he said, noting that Beijing has been infiltrating the country’s territorial waters even before Duterte came into office.

Albayalde to enjoy retirement

For his part, incumbent PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has no plans to join politics when he retires from the service next year.

Albayalde said he is not inclined to follow Dela Rosa’s path, saying: “Probably after my retirement, I will go home to my family.”

In an interview over ANC, Albayalde joked he would now have a chance to be an extra in the hit TV series “Ang Probinsyano” following the death of the fictional character, PNP chief Lucas Terante, on the show.

Albayalde recently slammed the producers of the show for its alleged negative portrayal of the PNP. The two sides have since resolved their differences.