Bato to PNP: Resolve killing cases, boost public trust

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police should exert its utmost to ensure crimes are solved to maintain the trust of the public, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa made the call at the joint inquiry of the committees on justice and human rights, and public order and dangerous drugs, into the spate of killings in the country.

Dela Rosa, who chairs the public order panel, stressed the two key functions of the PNP – crime prevention and crime solution.

And although crimes cannot be prevented at all times, the police should focus their efforts in ensuring that crimes will be solved, he said, adding he was making the call as “one of your elders,” being a former PNP chief.

“The policeman cannot be everywhere every time, it’s possible you can’t prevent crime because you’re not there. But we know there are some techniques we can use to prevent them, through active enforcement. But as I’ve said, we can accept that (crime prevention),” the senator said.

“But the second – crime solution – is something we must work hard on. Otherwise, if crimes that we weren’t able to prevent, afterwards, we can’t also solve, is going to be a huge question from our countrymen,” he said.

He warned that Filipinos will believe the police are involved in those killings if these cases remain unresolved.

“People would be suspicious and they will say the police may be involved because they were not able to prevent (the killing), and they remain unsolved,” Dela Rosa said.

“That’s why I advise you, pour all your resources, effort, time and energy to solve these killings,” he said.