P50-M offered for killing him and Duterte, incoming PNP chief says

Incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) head Chief Supt. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Thursday revealed that some elements have offered rewards for killing him and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

From the initial offer of P10 million, the bounty for himself and Duterte is now higher at P50 million, he said.

"Kahapon, P50 million [ang reward] either ako o si mayor (Duterte) dahil walang takers sa P10 million," dela Rosa said during a live interview for GMA 7's Unang Balita. 

The incoming PNP chief did not mention who may be behind the supposed contract killing.

Duterte has been vocal about his campaign against illegal drugs.

On Saturday, during his thanksgiving party at Davao Crocodile Park, Duterte said he will offer millions of pesos as rewards for killing and arresting drug peddlers. 

"Ang bayad ko ngayon, pagka-drug lord P5 million 'pag patay. Kung (buhay), P4,999,000 lang," Duterte said.

During the Unang Balita interview on Thursday, Dela Rosa said he is not even considering the P5-million incentive for capturing drug lords. 

"Kahit walang P5M papatayin ko pa rin sila," he added.

When asked for his first directive when he takes the helm as PNP head, he replied, "Forward march."

The former Davao City police chief explained that he will lead the police force in implementing Duterte's plan to address illegal drug cases and criminality in the next six months.

On the preparedness of the troops, he replied, "handang-handa. Let's get it on."

Dela Rosa admitted that the expectation of the public is very high, but he assures that he will draw up plans to implement anti-crime programs.

"Gagawa kami ng parameters, target setting," he said, adding that the perception of the public on their security and safety is more important.

He said an important consideration is whether the people feel safe in their neighborhood. If he fails in his task, he said he would resign from his post.

Dela Rosa said he consulted with Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson, who told him that police credibility is attained if they win the trust and confidence of the public.

"[With all decisions] kung walang kulay ng pera, you can hardly go wrong," said the incoming police chief.

Asked for his message to drug pushers, he said: "Sa mga addict and pushers, ang mga addict, biktima lang. Ihinto na ninyo. Sa pusher: Malaking tsansa ang mamatay kayo. Lalo ngayon, unahan na lang tayo. Pakita niyo ang galing niyo."

'Matic yan

The Bureau of Correction will look into reports that some drug lords incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) are dangling at least P10 million to have President-elect Duterte and Dela Rosa killed.

"I don't have to give an instruction to our BuCor officers and officials. Automatic iyan. Sisiguraduhin nila na that thing is not true or if totoo man iyan, they will investigate it," said Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas in a media briefing on Thursday.

Caparas admitted not yet having "reliable information" to confirm if there is truth to the assassination plot against Duterte and Bato being cooked up by inmates at the national penitentiary.

"Right now, these are stories, rumors. Of course, we don't tolerate that. We won't allow that. But whether these are actully true, this still has to be confirmed," said Caparas. — Bernadette A. Parco with Mark Meruenas/KG/APG, GMA News