With President Duterte’s assurance that he remains trusted, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” M. de la Rosa must prove that he deserves the Chief Executive’s trust and confidence by devoting his undivided attention in cleansing the police organizations of scalawags and corrupt men.
House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez made the call after his plea for De la Rosa’s resignation over the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo went unheeded.
Alvarez said he respect’s Duterte’s decision to keep De la Rosa.
The House leader disclosed that his call for the investigation of the murder of Jee Ick Joo may no longer be pursued and given to the Senate. He called for a caucus of the House super majority today to discuss the proposal and other urgent administration bills.
Disgusted over the failure of the PNP chief’s apparent failure to rid the PNP of criminals in uniform, Alvarez said De la Rosa must now give way to somebody who can better carry out Duterte’s anti-criminality drive and can command utmost respect from the police force.
Alvarez noted the murder of Jee Ick Joo right under the nose of De la Rosa as investigators confirmed he was strangled to death inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, reportedly just a stone’s throw away from the PNP chief’s house and office.
“I have said my piece at ito naman ay siguro, sasang-ayon ako doon sa mga ibang nagmungkahi na bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon si Chief PNP natin na ayusin yung mga gusot na hinaharap ngayon ng PNP,” Alvarez said in a radio interview.
Alvarez, who attended the 55th birth anniversary celebration of Dela Rosa in Camp Crame on Sunday along with Duterte, clarified that his call for the beleaguered PNP chief’s resignation was nothing personal.
The House official assured De la Rosa that he remains to be a friend and that his presence in the latter’s birth anniversary celebration confirms it.
Alvarez has two birthday wishes for Dela Rosa. “Unang-una, pangalagaan yung health; at pangalawa ay talagang maging mahigpit at hard doon sa scalawags na natitira sa PNP.”
The Speaker also said his call for the resignation of Dela Rosa was not discussed at all during his conversation with Duterte. Instead, Alvarez said the President asked him to focus on efforts to amend the Constitution.
(Ben R. Rosario)