Bato dela Rosa: 899 deaths under investigation since start of Duterte administration

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday said there are now 899 deaths under investigation since the government's intensified campaign against illegal drugs started in July.

“As of July 1 to August 15, we have a total of 899 deaths under investigation,” Dela Rosa said during a Senate hearing on the government's efforts against illegal drugs. 

It marked the first time the PNP made public the figures on deaths under investigation.

“We cannot really attribute this to vigilante killings, these bodies found and thus under investigation,” he said answering the question of Senator Grace Poe on how many were killed by vigilantes.

He said there have been 22 cases filed by the National Capital Region Police Office with regards to deaths under investigation.

Dela Rosa also said that as of August 18, there were 665 drug suspects killed in legitimate police operations. 

Jaypee Bertis case

Poe then asked about the case of drug suspect Jaypee Bertis who was killed, together with his father, Renato, inside a police station in Pasay City.

Bertis was arrested and his father chose to accompany him to the police station. They were killed hours after as Jaypee allegedly tried to grab the gun of one of the police officers.

“Siguro yung mga kaso na ito dapat malinawagan. Sumuko na tapos nanlaban daw, pinatay. Nagkakaroon ng duda sa isip ng ating mga kababayan. Nakakatakot kasi baka pag sumuko baka patayin kami. Pero pag may mayor na sumuko, meron pang nakitang drugs sa bahay, ngayon balik trabaho na,” the senator said.

NCRPO head Chief Supt Oscar Albayalde said the two policemen involved in the incident have been relieved from their posts and also disarmed.

“Their firearms and badges were taken from them. They were also facing charges before the Commission on Human Rights,” he said during the hearing. — RSJ, GMA News