By FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD
With the country’s anti-drug campaign out of its hands, the Philippine National Police will now focus on weeding out rogue cops from its ranks, according to PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa was interviewed by CNN’s “The Source” a few days after President Duterte signed an executive order leaving the conduct of all anti-drug operations to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Makaka-focus na kami ng husto nito ngayon. Siguro ’yung aking PNP Drug Enforcement Group magfo-focus more on internal cleansing, tulungan nila ’yung aming Counter-Intelligence Task Force para talaga mahuli itong mga pulis na gumagawa ng kalokohan,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said about two percent of the 185,000 policemen – roughly 4,000 – is believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
“Binabasehan namin iyung mga nasa listahan mga pulis na suspected to be involved in anomalies at saka iyung mga facing administrative charges, mga nakasuhan, more or less aabot sa ganung number at saka iyung mga naconvict na gumawa ng kalokohan,” Dela Rosa said.
Asked about the status of the more than 1,000 Caloocan City policemen who have been relieved of their duties, Dela Rosa said they are still undergoing retraining at the National Capital Region Police Office headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.
Dela Rosa also said that aside from cleansing the PNP’s ranks, they will also concentrate on apprehending motorcycle riding criminals, internal security, and terrorism.
“Ngayon talaga dahil sa EO, bawal na ang pulis sa anti-drug operations. Bahala na ang PDEA, sila na lang ang magtratrabaho,” he said.
Dela Rosa, however, said the police are ready to resume their war on drugs if ordered by the President.
“Kung kinakailangan at sabihin ni Presidente na balik na kayo, so trabaho uli kami,” he said. “Pero sa ngayon, we have to follow the directive of the President.”