Bato says they have 'scientific' evidence linking drug killings to syndicates

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday said they have "scientific" evidence that could prove that the spate of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects is committed by drug syndicates.

"Magugulat kayo itong alleged vigilante killings, it came out ito ay syndicated killing, mga grupo sa droga. Magugulat na lang kayo kapag may inilabas kami na data, facts kung sinu-sino nagpapatayan," he said in a press briefing before the command conference at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa, however, refused to elaborate, saying they still need to complete the report.

"Meron tayong scientific evidence leading to that conclusion. Malalaman niyo 'yan later. Kasalukuyang nag-prepare si General Marquez, meron siyang ibibigay sa inyo kapag natapos na," he said, referring to Chief Superintendent Augusto Marquez of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

Hundreds of suspects have so far been killed after President Rodrigo Duterte announced a crackdown on illegal drug syndicates, many of them by supposed vigilante groups, causing indignation among human rights groups.

The Senate is set to conduct a two-day hearing on the spate of drug-related extrajudicial killings next week.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, said he cannot confirm Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s statement that there were 681 cases of extrajudicial killings from July 1 to August 3  or an average of 20 cases a day.

"I cannot readily concur with that data unless bibigyan ako ng DIDM ko ng data na magkapareho diyan, but totoo yan, nangyayari yan," he said.

The PNP chief reiterated that they do not condone extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, but added that in the government's intensified campaign against criminal syndicates, he will not let his men get killed by the drug suspects.

"Marami nang pulis na namamatay, may mga pulis na agaw buhay, 50/50, and nasa mga hospital pa. Nakikita naman natin kung paano manlaban itong mga kalaban natin. We are at war so if you go to war you don't go there unprepared," Dela Rosa said.

“Nakikita n’yo na may mga armas yung mga namamatay, hindi ba? And they are drug crazed people,” he added.

Dela Rosa said if he has funds, he will buy more arms and ammunition for his men.

“Unahin muna namin yung basic na pangangailangan ng mga tauhan namin to defend themselves, not to defend the other party. Kung may pera ibibili ko na lang mga bala at baril para armasan yung mga tao ko,” he said. —KBK, GMA News