'Bato' warns scalawags: Your days are numbered

DAVAO CITY - As tough as President Rodrigo Duterte, newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa Friday issued a stern warning against police officials and personnel involved in illegal activities to surrender within 48 hours "as your days are numbered."

On Friday's change of command ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City, dela Rosa pointed out in his acceptance speech as the first in command of the 120,000 strong PNP that he is bent on cleansing the organization with the so-called scalawags.

"We will be relentless in our internal cleansing efforts. We have to eliminate scalawags from within our ranks," he said.

He then asked police officials involved in the trade of illegal drugs to surrender within 48 hours and tell everything they know about the rampant drug sale.

"To police who are corrupt, abusive, indolent and syndicate, your days are numbered, especially the police in Metro Manila who bragged that they are ninjas, recycling the shabu, I will give you 48 hours to voluntarily surrender to me and tell me everything," dela Rosa said after taking oath as the police chief.

"Otherwise, you can go Awol (absence without leave), continue being a drug lord and declare war against us," he added.

Even before he assumes his post, dela Rosa, Davao City's former police chief, has been a staunch advocate against crime, promising to stamp out the proliferation of drugs in the country.

"This has to stop right now or I will stop you from enjoying your evil life. I promise you, change is coming including your birthday which will be changed to November 2 (All Soul's Day)," dela Rosa said, referring to the corrupt and abusive police.

In the same event, Duterte also warned scalawags in the PNP that he knows how they operate and will give "zero tolerance" for the abuses they will commit under his six-year term.

"I know your life story, I know how you handle your work and I know how good you are. But I also know that sometimes, you can become a bad boy in the organization," Duterte said.