Bato says PH could still be a drug-free country

FILE: The chief PNP believes that the case of the Philippines is not “hopeless” saying that the Philippines could still be a drug-free country. (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday expressed optimism that the narcotic problem of the Philippines will still reach its conclusion.

The chief PNP believes that the case of the Philippines is not “hopeless,” and the country could still be drug-free.

“Posible naman kung lahat tayo magtutulungan hindi pa naman hopeless ‘yong case ng Pilipinas, hindi pa. Pewede pa tayo maging drug-free ‘pag magtutulungan tayo, pati ‘yong mga taong involved sa droga ay tumulong siguro makamit natin ‘yan [It’s possible if we will all work together; the Philippines is not hopeless, it is still not. We could still be a drug-free (country) if we will help one another, even those who are involved in drugs could also help to achieve that],” Dela Rosa said in an interview on GMA’s Unang Balita.

Prior to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to return the PNP to the battlefield of the government contra illegal drugs, Bato has earlier vowed that the police will execute a full speed anti-drug operation with extreme caution once the President decides to return the police force to the government’s fight contra illegal drugs.

Despite criticisms from several international and local human rights group, Bato insisted that the police force is carrying out anti-illegal drugs operations in accordance with the law.

“Ganon pa rin, the same, just the same kahit ‘yong before tayo pinahinto support pa rin naman ang papel natin doon sa PDEA by law support pa rin sa PDEA but yun nga lang nangingibabaw yung mga ginagawa ng kapulisan dahil mas marami tayo, pero still lahat ng mga protocols na pinapairal under sa batas ay sinusunod pa rin natin so ganon pa rin yung trabaho natin [It’s still the same, just the same even before we were ordered to stop, we are still supporting PDEA but it’s just that the work of the police is more visible because of our bigger number, but we are still following all of the protocols under the law so our task is still the same]  ,” Dela Rosa said.

On December 5, the chief executive signed a memorandum ordering the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to rejoin the government’s war against illegal drugs.