Bato open to probing PDEA, PNP officers who allegedly reward assets with confiscated drugs

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is open to investigating officers of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency who allegedly give 30% of the confiscated drugs from successful operations to their informants.

“Masama ‘yan. They are perpetuating the circulation of drugs in the streets ‘pag ganon. Paano gagawin nung re-rewardan mo don sa 30 percent...’yung informant na ‘yon, inenegosyo na naman n’ya yon, idi-distribute n’ya yon, ibebenta niya. Walang katapusang problema ‘yan ‘pag ganon. Totoo yan? Eh di mag-imbestiga tayo d’yan,” Dela Rosa  said  in an interview.

[That’s not good. They are perpetuation the circulation of drugs in the streets that way. Informants given 30% would only make business out of it, they will distribute and sell it. There would no end to the [drug] problem. If it’s true, then let's investigate it.] 

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said it has never been the policy of the government to reward civilian assets with illegal drugs.

“Ang droga ang i-reward? Ay napakaloko namang polisiya ‘yan ‘pag ganoon. May naka-set na pera for reward purposes but not drugs. Hindi pupwede yung drugs,” he said. “So ibig sabihin para tayong gago nito. Pabalik-balik ang problema.” 

[Why reward [them] with drugs? It would be a foolish policy. There is a reward but not drugs.]

Dela Rosa said he will talk to PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo regarding this information before filing a resolution to investigate the matter.

Dela Rosa chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Earlier in the day, House dangerous drugs panel chairperson Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers said his committee will investigate police assets or informants and PDEA agents who allegedly secure portions of confiscated illegal drugs in order to sell them.

The scheme was first revealed by Lazo during Tuesday’s public hearing on proposed bills seeking to strengthen the 2002 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In December last year, Dela Rosa delivered a privilege speech claiming that drug syndicates are back with a vengeance.

Dela Rosa was then-President Rodrigo Duterte's first PNP chief. He was at the forefront of the administration's war on drugs throughout much of Duterte's term. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News