These situations showed that under the lead of Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, the Philippine National Police (PNP) was troubled by many controversies.
Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had described his experience as the youngest Philippine National Police chief as a rollercoaster ride but mostly going high.
On the other hand, this sounds contradicting to the criticisms being faced by PNP during his lead.
Based on the article published in The Philippines Star, there are quite a number of controversies that had tarnished the agency.
War on drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte worked closely with Dela Rosa in his campaign to eliminate the illegal drugs in the country. It became controversial as policemen allegedly execute extra judicial killings to drug suspects.
The Director General has been questioned of his capability to lead the PNP. He has been threatened to be ousted and he tendered his resignation but the President even extended his terms.
Espinosa slay
Suspected drug lord, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed inside his detention cell in 2016 and apparently it was a rubout. Senators tagged that as ‘premeditated’.
During the Senate hearing for the said incident, Bato was asked what he will do to gain back the public trust to PNP, he answered emotionally, “Pinapasa-Diyos ko na lang itong sa PNP. Gustong-gusto kong ma-reform ang PNP. Ako’y hirap na hirap na.”
Tokhang for ransom
The kidnap-slay of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, according to Dela Rosa was the lowest point of his career as a PNP Chief.
Because of that, he tendered his resignation with his purpose not to bring further shame to his superior – the President but the latter did not accept it.
That was the point when Duterte removed the power from PNP to go after drug suspects, however, after several months he again brought back the power to policemen for his reason that the drug problem continued.
Secret cell
On April 27, 2017, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) exposed a secret jail cell in Manila Police Station 1.
Dela Rosa reasoned out about this by saying that “he had no problem with the set-up as long as the policemen were not corrupt and abusive”.
Kian delos Santos case
The 17-year-old boy was accused of drug peddling and the police officers who arrested him were accused of overkilling.
The autopsy report showed that he was shot twice in the head while he was kneeling.
Based on the article, Bato did not buy the claim that the young boy was innocent of the charges against him.
Following that are the deaths of two more minors, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman.
“I’m grieving for the majority of my men who are… tapos i-accuse na polisiya na gano’n. Masakit. Magpakamatay kami para sa inyo, para sa tao. Napakahirap na sabihin na policy ng malawakang pagpatay,” Dela Rosa said during the Senate hearing about this.
Botched Mandaluyong police operation
Mandaluyong City police mistakenly shot at a wrong vehicle which left two people dead and two others wounded.
Bato admitted that there was indeed a mistake on the part of the policemen but he iterated that there was no ill intent.
“Kawawa ‘yung mga pulis ko. Nagtratrabaho lang ‘yan. Mabuti na ‘yung mga tanga na may malinis na kalooban kaysa ‘yung mga marunong pero may masamang intension na mamaril ng mga drug pusher na mga bata bata nila,” Dela Rosa stated, based on the article.