Bato hits media: Don’t make us look bad

MANILA, Philippines – An evidently angry Philippine National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday cried foul after the media sought to hear the side of alleged kidnap-slay mastermind SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and his wife.

Dela Rosa, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, accused some reporters of destroying their credibility with the way news are being reported.

“Ang mahirap dito ‘yung ibang media, ‘yung gumagawa ng kasalanan ‘yun pa ang gagawing hero,” the PNP chief said at a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

READ: Alvarez: Bato should resign to spare Duterte from embarrassment

Jinky Sta. Isabel, wife of the main suspect in the death of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, held a news conference in her residence yesterday in an attempt to clear her husband's name from the kidnapping and murder case.

She presented evidence, including closed circuit television camera footages and recorded phone calls, to prove their innocence. The embattled wife also claimed they are being framed by higher ranking officials of the PNP.

Dela Rosa said Jinky was twisting facts to make them look bad.

“Kami na nga ‘yung nadidiin dahil sa kasamaan na ginawa ng asawa niya, ngayon lalo pa kami papasamain. Where’s justice?” the PNP chief said.

READ: Anti-kidnap chief denies plotting Korean slay cover-up

“Gusto ni’yo gawing hero si Sta. Isabel? Na nangidnap ng Koreano, pinatay sa loob ng kampo gusto ni’yo gawing hero ‘yan tapos kami gawin n’yong villain? Saan ang hustisya ng ganyan?” he added.

A frustrated Dela Rosa then continued: “Ano kasama ba kayo sa plano ‘pag ganun?"

Dela Rosa, however, clarified that he was just expressing his sentiment and not accusing, but later on fired tirades again.

“Ang akin lang ‘wag naman palabasin ni’yo na kriminal o sindikato lalabas na hero. Kung ano ‘yung makikita ni’yo na butas, na hindi  naman talaga butas, pilit na binubutusan pa para masira ang kredebilidad,” he said.

READ: Suspects in Korean kidnap-slay case ordered arrested

In the end, he pleaded to the media to be transparent, while vowed that there would be no coverup in their investigation.

“Please ‘yung pag-cover ni’yo tingnan ni’yo ng husto, ‘wag ni’yo naman baligtarin na ang masama nagiging mabuti, ang mabuti ang nagiging masama, maging transparent tayo,” Dela Rosa said.