Bato dela Rosa seeks Church’s full support, trust in renewed anti-drug campaign

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday urged the Catholic Church to give its full support and trust to the police organization as they relaunched the anti-illegal drug operations and Oplan Tokhang.

Dela Rosa made the statement following the comment of Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo that the inclusion of priests and church people in Oplan Tokhang is just a propaganda.

“Ganun na ba sila kawalang tiwala? ‘Di ba pag nasa Church ka mapagtiwala ka sa iyong kapwa. E kami nagtiwala sa kanila na kami ay tutulungan nila sa aming kampanya,” the PNP chief told reporters. 

“Sana naman ay bigyan nila ng konting tiwala ang kanilang kapulisan. Nakikiusap nga ako na tulungan nila kami then ganun ang reaction nila. Sana naman merong konting tiwala na naiiwan sa kanilang puso para sa amin,” he added.

Despite the initial feedback, Dela Rosa said he will continue coordinating with the Church. 

“Hindi ko mapuntahan ang bawat diocese pero sige lang, pag mag-ikot ako lahat ng bishops sa diocese puntahan ko,” he said.

Meeting with bishops

He said he will also try to arrange a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines for better coordination.

“I will try to arrange for a meeting. Hanapan ko ng paraan,” he said.

He added he already instructed the regional and station commanders to coordinate with the bishops and parish priests in their respective areas. 

“Inutusan ko yung regional director na mag-coordinate  sa mga bishops sa bawat diocese ng kanilang province at yung mga municipal police, chief of police, mag-coordinate sa parish priest ng kanilang lugar para tumulong sa Tokhang at sumabay sa aming kampanya,” he said. 

The PNP chief said that no matter what, he would still be a believer of the Catholic Church. 

“Basta ako out of respect I am a Catholic believer, lumaki akong Katoliko, nirerespeto ko ang Church,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he wanted the Catholic Church to be included in Oplan Tokhang, where they knock on the houses of drug suspects and appeal to them to mend their ways, to answer their questions.

“Maraming criticism na nanggagaling sa kanila. For me, in order to appease them, to make them see ‘yung real operation kaya inimbitahan ko sila kasi mahirap naman na sige sila mag-criticize e hindi nila alam kung anong real na nangyayari sa grounds,” he said. 

“So  pasamahin natin sila sa Oplan Tokhang, sumama sila para makita nila kung paano kinatok yung bahay, paano kinausap yung drug personality at paano kinumbinse,” he added.

He admitted that the presence of priests will give credence to their campaign.

“That will lend more credit sa aming kampanya, na may presensiya ang Church. Kahit na adik ang mga tao na ‘yan, naniniwala pa rin sa Diyos ‘yan so that will give more credit to our campaign,” he said.

‘Double Barrel Reloaded, Tokhang Revisited’

The PNP relaunched Monday its anti-illegal drug campaign dubbed, “Double Barrel Reloaded, Tokhang Revisited.”

“The war on drugs is on, and this time it is going to be more extensive, aggressive and well-coordinated, with built-in systems that guarantee full accountability and instill internal discipline among all personnel,” Dela Rosa said. 

The PNP DEG will be headed by Acting Director, PSSupt Graciano Mijares while all other positions in the PNP DEG are vacant and on the process of a rigid screening and complete background investigation to select only the best and most qualified to man the new unit only with personnel of unsullied service reputation, unblemished record, and a character beyond suspicion as a minimum requirement.

The PNP DEG will have a built-in Counter-Intelligence Section embedded in its intelligence division to provide a fully-functional internal disciplinary mechanism against possible irregularities, lapses and abuses.        

It shall have its own Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and K-9 Units for tactical support including provisions for creation of additional operating units and upgrading of personnel strength. 

Dela Rosa said that aside from authorized PNP personnel and barangay officials, all “Tokhang” operations should be well-coordinated with the local church to serve as a representative in behalf of the religious sector. — RSJ, GMA News