MANILA, Philippines – Despite the criticisms and issues hurdling him, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa will not back down as he fearlessly takes on challenges his office is facing.
“Sabi ko nga sa inyo, bring it on kung ano ang gusto ninyo basta in the interest of justice, I am willing to die every time,” Dela Rosa told reporters in Camp Crame on Friday.
The PNP chief was reacting to the statement of Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III, accused mastermind in the killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, that a big group is behind the horrendous incident.
A fearful Dumlao, who declined to give more details, said the entire PNP cannot do anything.
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Dela Rosa, for his part, said Dumlao perhaps was referring to officials of the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Siguro yung mga inimplicate niya na malaking officials sa NBI, ‘yun siguro ang kinatatakutan nya,” the PNP chief said. “Siya pwede matakot, pero ako hindi.”
On Monday, NBI Director Dante Gierran assured the public that no NBI agent was involved in the killing of Jee.
“Wala po, kung mayroon talaga, papatayin ko sila,” the NBI chief said at news conference.
The death of Jee led to the suspension of anti-illegal drug operation of PNP and NBI after President Rodrigo Duterte lost respect to the two agencies.
The nation’s top cop, meanwhile, downplayed the possibility of the existence of Korean mafia in the country as behind the death of Jee.
“May mga competing within that community, but hindi pa natin na-establish ‘yan. Meron akong narinig, posible lang, pero ang na-establish talaga natin is ‘yung theory na pinu-pursue ng PNP at NBI sa kanilang investigation,” Dela Rosa said.