Guam solons back out from meeting with Dela Rosa

FILE: Nelson also added that initially, they did not know the name of the Philippine official so they were ready to cooperate for the “courtesy visit” endorsed by Rodriguez, but after confirming that it was the former PNP chief, she decided to not be part of the event (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Solons in Guam backed out from a supposed event that invited former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa because of human rights allegations.

According to reports from the Pacific Daily News and the Guam Daily Post, the PNP chief-turned Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief was earlier invited by Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr. in celebration of the Philippine independence month. However, Rodriguez cancelled the Saturday visit at the last minute on Friday, June 29, after senators backed out.

Senator Telena Nelson was the first lawmaker to criticize dela Rosa’s visit, saying that it would “send the wrong message.”

“Law enforcement officials on Guam, and throughout the world, must protect the judicial system, not act outside of it. When numerous human rights organizations allege that thousands of lives were taken without due process, each of us have an obligation to say no – not stand there for photos,” Nelson said in a statement issued on Friday.

Nelson also added that initially, they did not know the name of the Philippine official so they were ready to cooperate for the “courtesy visit” endorsed by Rodriguez, but after confirming that it was the former PNP chief, she decided to not be part of the event.

Though Rodriguez cancelled the event, he found it “best” to discuss the human rights allegations after dela Rosa’s visit, especially that “hundreds of people [in Guam] are eager to see him and speak with him throughout his public appearances Saturday and Sunday.”

“It is best we discuss that after our guest leaves the island so we ensure he is treated with the hafa adai spirit we are known for,” he was quoted as saying in an article by Pacific Daily News.

“While I applaud Sen. Nelson for her stance on human rights, before we subject Gen. Dela Rosa, who is our guest, to that kind of scrutiny, perhaps we should take a look at the human rights violations happening right here at home, over which her committee has oversight,” Rodriguez added as Nelson is the chairwoman of the Guam Legislature’s Committee on Housing, Utilities, Public Safety, and Homeland Security.

Dela Rosa, as the previous head of the PNP, led President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs.