Dela Rosa on media background checks: ‘It is bordering on illegal’

The PNP chief said that he will not exert an effort on media as the police are more focused on tracking criminals and terrorists. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday assured the journalists that the police force has no effort of conducting background checks on media as it is “bordering on (being) illegal.”

“I categorically deny that there is an effort by the PNP to monitor, to conduct background checks on the media… It is not only irregular, but it is bordering on (being) illegal,” the PNP chief told reporters on Monday, January 22.

The issue arose following the statement of PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo addressing the PNP Press Corps reporters last week that the police will conduct a background investigation on their members as a matter of protocol for annual accreditation.

Dela Rosa stressed that he respects the freedom of the press.

“Sa media wala kaming ginagawa. ‘Wag na kayo mag-alala ha, ako na nagsasalita Chief PNP. Wala kaming efforts against sa inyo, kahit na anong gawin niyong paninira o panggigiba, that is your freedom [We are not doing anything to the media. Don’t worry, it’s the chief of the PNP speaking. We don’t have efforts against you, even if you attack or demolish us, that is your freedom],” Bato said.

“Kahit na anong gawin niyo kahit galit kami deep breathing na lang namin yan di namin pwede kayo gawan ng aksyon. Kung meron man, mag-report kayo sa amin [Despite our anger, we can only do deep breaths. If ever there are [investigations], report them to us],” Dela Rosa added.

The PNP chief said that he will not exert an effort on media as the police are more focused on tracking criminals and terrorists.

Dela Rosa added that they are still in the process of tracking the National Democratic Front consultants ordered by the courts to be re-arrested.

“As far as the PNP is concerned e hirap na nga kami sa problema sa terrorism, sa New People’s Army, mga kriminal e problemahin pa namin itong media. Bakit namin tututukan ang media [As far as the PNP is concerned, we are already having a hard time resolving terrorism, the New People’s Army, the criminals. Why we would be focusing on media]?” he said.

The PNP chief said that those who think that they were being put under surveillance should report the incident to their nearest police station.