Bato dela Rosa still respects Lacson amid 'arrogant' remark

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday he still respects Senator Panfilo Lacson despite the latter's criticism of his decision to defend the maintenance of a so-called secret cell.

"I respect him, he is my idol pero kung sabihin niya na arrogant 'yung pag depensa ko sa mga tao ko na hindi nangongotong, hindi naga-abuso, pasensiya na, iba 'yung standard niya ng arrogance," Dela Rosa told reporters.

In a press statement earlier in the day, Lacson said it was "very arrogant" of Dela Rosa to defend such act.

"CPNP Dela Rosa misses the point entirely. Defending policemen for maintaining an unlivable secret prison cell hidden behind a book shelf inside a police station is incomprehensible," he said in a statement posted on Twitter by Nimfa Ravelo of Super Radyo's dzBB.

But the PNP chief said defending his men does not mean the policemen are scot-free.

"No, hindi iyon (scot-free). Kaya nga ni-relieve natin, inutusan ko ang IAS (Internal Affairs Service) na imbestigahan, para ma-prove talaga na violation sa batas yung ginawa nila then they have to face the consequences of their action," he said.

The IAS has already started its probe on the secret jail.

Dela Rosa said he is defending his men against accusation that they are extorting P40,000 to P50,000 from the detainees in exchange for their freedom.

He said he talked with the at least 10 detainees and they denied the allegations.

"Na-prove ko doon na wala, tinanong ko doon, yung sampu, wala. Yung torture, yung pananakit, wala naman daw, hindi naman daw sila sinasaktan. Nagpasalamat nga sila na pinapakain sila ng pulis kahit wala silang dalaw, walang magdala ng pagkain, pulis ang nagpakain sa kanila," he said.

He said the detainees were also thankful to the police for giving them the secret jail.

"'Yung preso, sabi nila pasalamat nga kami sir doon kami kinulong mas maluwag, makahiga, makaupo kami compared to the main detention cell na napakasikip," he said. — BAP, GMA News