Police chief on Ozamiz mayor’s death: More to come

MANILA, Philippines — Despite expected criticisms from the human rights sector, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa maintained authorities will continue to implement the law without fear or favor to cleanse the country of illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa warned Monday that more will follow the brutal fate of Ozamiz City Mayor Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. who was killed in a police operation inside his residence on Sunday dawn.

He said that the death of Parojinog should serve as a warning to everyone that they are going all out against the proprietors of illegal drug trade in the country.

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“Ang PNP ay walang sinasasanto pagdating sa enforcement sa batas. Kapag kailangan ka i-operate, i-operate ka talaga,” dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa explained that the police are building up the case on those President Rodrigo Duterte included on his intel-based drug list released last year.

“Nationwide scale marami pa. Kung gaano karami, sabi ko marami kasi marami ’yung nasa listahan ni president.

“Pero kapag na-validate na talagang continuing pa rin ‘yung ginagawa nilang pag-involve sa droga then they have to prepare themselves hindi ba? The PNP will implement the law without fear or favor,” the Philippine’s top cop said.

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The Commission on Human Rights, meanwhile, announced that it will conduct an investigation into the killing of Parojinog, the latest of thousands of fatalities in Duterte's controversial drug crackdown.

The CHR has constantly assailed extrajudicial executions to the so-called war on drugs, urging law enforcers to respect human rights in the conduct of their duties. Local and international human rights advocates, as well as Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, have criticized Duterte for supporting the killings with his rhetoric.