Culture of impunity in PNP? Bato claims term was spread by opposition

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa belied anew that there is a culture of impunity in the Philippine National Police on the heels of public outrage against the PNP following a viral video showing a cop who shot dead his neighbors in broad daylight.

In an interview during the Laging Handa briefing, Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said that allegations of culture of impunity is being used by the administration’s critics or detractors as he insisted that nobody has ordered to kill suspects.

“Pero paano mo masabi na may culture of impunity, may president, PNP chief, national and regional director, or sa lowest na chief PNP na nagsasabi na patayin mga suspects? Wala naman,” the senator said.

“‘Yung nagsasabi ng culture ng impunity akala nila ‘yung mga civilians lang mga bikitima. How about ‘yung mga pulis na namamatay? They are also victim of culture of impunity. Kung gusto nila sabihin na may culture of impunity... wala, walang culture of impunity. Magkakaroon ng culture of impunity kung ito ay pinababayaan,” he said.

Impunity is defined exemption from punishment or from consequence of an action.

The senator went on say that the opposition is using the term to incite anger towards the government.

“Kalokohan ‘yan,” the senator said.

“Gusto lang talagang gawaan ng opposition gawan ng story yan para magalit ang taong bayan sa ating pangulo. Bakit 93% ang aprroval rating ng ating pangulo?” he stressed.

“‘Yung ating pangulo mismo galit na galit sa mga abusadong pulis. Sabi ng pangulo depensahan ko kayo kung kayo ay gumagawa ng katinuan kung kayo ay gumagawa ng tama in line of duty pero kung kayo ay mag abuso, lalo at ginamit nyo ang pagka pulis niyo sa pagabuso, ay malilintikan kayo sa akin, sabi ng Pangulo,” the senator said.

“Wala naman sinabi ang Pangulo sige umabuso kayo, pumatay kayo nang pumatay ako bahala sa inyo narinig ba nyo yan?”

The PNP drew flak after Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who is off-duty, shot his neighbors - Sonya and Frank Gregorio - after a heated confrontation that stemmed from Frank's use of the loud, improvised firecracker “boga.”

The cop is no stranger to administrative cases as he had faced grave misconduct (homicide) cases in May and December 2019.

Both, however, were dismissed due to lack of substantial evidence.

The PNP has started the process to dismiss Nuezca.  -MDM, GMA News