PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa defends bloody Bulacan drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa defended yesterday the Bulacan police for the killing of 13 drug suspects during its operations on Wednesday.

Dela Rosa said the killings were ”bound to happen” after the suspects put up a fight.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police director, said police officers fired in self-defense after the suspects drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents.

Dela Rosa said the public should not only focus on the death toll, but on the number of drug suspects arrested.

At least 109 suspects were collared in police operations in Bulakan, Malolos, Plaridel, San Rafael, Baliuag, Sta. Maria, Bocaue and San Jose del Monte.

Among those arrested were dismissed police officers Vicente Lava and Angkayah Adun.

At least 101 grams of shabu, 671 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and 18 guns were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

Dela Rosa maintained that the PNP has made headway in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“The problem is still there, but at least we are confronting the problem head-on,” he said.

P2.5-B illegal drugs destroyed

Meanwhile, illegal drugs and chemicals with an estimated street value of P2.56 billion were destroyed at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. plant in Trece Martirez, Cavite yesterday morning.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said among those destroyed were 460 kilos of shabu worth P2.3 billion; cocaine, P215 million, and marijuana, P43.4 million.

Chemicals used to manufacture shabu and expired medicine were also destroyed.

The destruction of the seized illegal drugs was based on orders of the courts in Caloocan, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Pasig and Valenzuela as they are no longer needed as evidence. 

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino lauded the courts for the immediate disposition of the drug cases.

A total of P9.14 billion worth of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals have been destroyed since Aquino was named PDEA chief. – With Romina Cabrera