Bato vows more bulletproof vests as front-line cop killed in anti-drug operation

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has vowed to look for funds for the procurement of bulletproof vests after learning that a front-line cop killed in an anti-illegal drug operation in Caloocan City was not wearing one.

Dela Rosa made the promise after Aidilee, widow of Police Officer 1 Romeo Mandapat Jr., asked him why her husband was not wearing a vest during the operation.

Dela Rosa was visiting the wake of Mandapat at the PNP mortuary in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Sunday night.

“Sir, bakit gano'n, sir? Ba't ganon? Kung sino yung mga nasa front line sila yung walang bullet vest?” Aidilee asked Dela Rosa in between sobs.

The PNP chief was not able to immediately respond.

Facing the media, Dela Rosa admitted that the PNP lacked bulletproof vests.

“Inaamin ko naman yung pagkukulang namin. Kulang kami sa ganung gamit. Ngayon pagtutuunan ko 'yan ng pansin. Maghahanap ako ng pondo para pambili ng vest,” he said.

He also explained that many front line policemen refuse to wear bulletproof vests because it hinders their movement during operations.

“Itong mga intel ops, yung mga special operatives yung iba d’yan meron, yung iba wala. Yung iba namang meron ayaw magsuot dahil very uncomfortable pag nag-operate ka.  Lalo na kung narcotics operatives ka, hindi ka nakauniporme, nakasibliyan palagi. Pag naka-vest ka na naka-civilian obvious ba. Parang obvious, halata,” he said.

He said if he could have his way, all operatives should have bulletproof vests.

“Sa totoo lang, isa yan sa ating kinu-consider ngayon na kailangan bago lumakad sa operation naka-vest lahat… <agpapahanap ako ng pondo paano maka-procure ng vest na pangkalahatan,” he said.

Deaths unavoidable in war on drugs

He said deaths in police operations, especially in the war against illegal drugs, is unavoidable.

“Hindi mo talaga totally maiiwasan yan dahil giyera 'yan e. May bala ang pulis, may bala rin sila. Magpapalitan ng putok 'yan. May matatamaan talaga. That's the hazard of the profession. Alam natin na talagang delikado,” he said.

“Ready naman kami. Kami'y pumasok sa pagkapulis, ready na kami sa ganong bagay. Kahit na hindi ka magpulis. Kahit matulog ka lang d'yan 'pag sinabi ni Lord na panahon mo na, panahon mo na talaga,” he added.

Mandapat’s widow, who herself is planning to enter the police organization, said she is not blaming anyone.

Dela Rosa gave financial assistance to Mandapat’s family.

“Galing sa personal ko na pondo nagbigay ako ng, inisyal lang yon, P100,000 para panggastos-gastos. Aside from that may automatic na immediate assistance lalo na kapag namatay sa engkwentro,” he said.

“Siniguro ko na hindi na mahirapan ang asawa sa pag-claim ng mga benefits. Inatasan ko ang Northern Police District, sa Caloocan Police Station na sila mismo ang mag-follow up, hindi na yung pamilya para siguradong makakarating,” he added.

Mandapat left behind his wife and two children, aged three and two years old.

Aidilee said the night before her husband was killed, he told her not to sleep early and wait for him. She said the policeman even asked her what she wanted to for breakfast.

She said Mandapat told her that she will only drive the police vehicle for the operation. It was only through a message on Facebook sent to her before dawn Friday that she learned of her husband’s fate.

Mandapat had been in police service for only two years and he and his wife were planning to get married wearing police uniforms. —Amita Legaspi/ALG, GMA News