'Bato' to Cordillera cops: Stay away from drugs, illegal gambling

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa announced Friday that the crime volume in the Cordillera has dived because of the administration’s no-nonsense anti-drug campaign.

 

Dela Rosa did not give specific figures, but cited a report by the regional police office.

 

In the 115th Police Service Anniversary of the Cordillera police regional headquarters at Camp Bado Dangwa attended by mayors from the region, dela Rosa, also stressed the need for an internal cleansing within the police organization.

 

“We cannot afford to fail the president’s campaign promise,” he said, adding, quickly, “we cannot afford to fail the Filipino people.”

 

He told police officers not to dabble in illegal drugs and in illegal gambling. "These two," he said in Filipino, "are twin menaces."

 

Dela Rosa claimed that money from gambling and illegal drugs come from the same hands. He issued the warning to Cordillera police officers but was obviosuly also addressing local town and provincial executives present at the event.

 

Almost all town mayors in Abra, Benguet, some from Kalinga, Mt. Province and Ifugao came to meet dela Rosa.

 

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., who has criticized the drug war because of the rising number of deaths, did not attend the occasion.

 

Kalinga Rep. Allen Mangaoang, Baguio Rep. Marquez Go, Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos, Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Mt. Province Rep. Max Dalog, and representatives of Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan were at the event to vow support for the government’s drug war.

Dela Rosa cited Regions 6 and 7, where those running the drug trade are also those behind illegal gambling in these areas.

 

The police chief admitted that when he became the country’s top cop, huge sums were offered to him by illegal gambling operations.

 

“Pero di ko tinanggap,” he said, explaining that law enforcers' hands will be tied once they receive grease money from illegal activities. 

 

“Please, 'wag kayong tumanggap kasi masama yan,” he said as he encouraged officers to live by the police’s credo of service to the people. “Let us celebrate police service, with our commitment to serve the people.”

 

He told police that the Duterte administration will continue to look into the needs of the country’s 250,000 police officers.

 

"Hangad naming ang kapakanan ng bawat myembro ng PNP,” he said, adding the PNP leadership will not only provide tools that the police need to function better,  “but [also] provide you and your families to live a comfortable life.”

 

During an open forum with local chief executives, dela Rosa challenged town mayors to continue supporting the drug war.