Bato to drug war critics: Ingrato kayo

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday lashed at critics of the government''s war against illegal drugs.

"Ako, prangka ako na tao. You can criticize us to high heavens, but I can tell you straight sa inyong mga mata, kayong mga critic, sabihan ko kayo, ingrato kayo," Dela Rosa said in an interview with reporters during an inspection at the Light Rail Transit Line 2.

He said those criticizing the government's efforts against illegal drugs are actually benefiting from it.

"Alam ko nakikinabang din kayo sa peace and order na idinulot sa atin ng war on drugs, peace and order na tinatamasa n'yo ngayon na naidulot ng aming war on drugs," he said.

Dela Rosa declined to name persons or groups critical of the war on drugs.

"Wala akong specific person basta kung i-criticize n'yo kami tanggap namin 'yan, tanggap namin kayo. Pero ako naman bumwelta rin ako sa inyo, ingrato ka, nakikinabang ka sa peace and order," he said.

He said children of the drug war's critics are safe in their schools and streets because of the government efforts.

"Mga anak mo sarap, pumapasok ng eskwelahan, walang kaba, walang takot dahil bihira na ang krimen sa kalsada dahil sa war on drugs tapos ngayon tinitira n'yo kami," he said.

He said he is okay with criticisms as long as these are true.

"Okay lang kung mali ang ginagawa namin, you can criticize us to high heavens. Tanggap namin kung nagkamali kami, kung meron kaming pagkakamali," he said.

"Basta sana naman, alam ko deep inside your heart alam mo na nakikinabang ka sa ginagawa naming war on drugs," he added.

Based on data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, a total of 3,800 drug personalities have been killed and 1017, 156 others have been arrested in 70,854 operations from July 1, 2016 to August 29 this year. —ALG, GMA News