FOR a civil servant to call critics of the war against illegal drugs “ingrato” or ingrates is most distasteful and abominable. But that was what Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Bato dela Rosa said recently in front of reporters.
The PNP chief, in his passion perhaps to cleanse our country of illegal drugs, must have forgotten that while he may be the president’s favorite, he is an appointed official and therefore must serve the public minus the rant.
In a democratic country like ours--and I believe this still applies to us despite the odds we are facing--criticism is an integral part. If there are criticisms of the killings related to the drive against illegal drugs, then there must be something wrong with the drive.
Instead of getting angry or irritated, PNP Chief Bato should show his critics that something is being done to correct whatever missteps may have been committed in the campaign. And he should not be stiff on his critics.
Admittedly though, if PNP Chief dela Rosa would appear nice or funny to the public, he would not be the same Bato that was given six months after last year’s presidential polls to rid the country of illegal drugs.
Still, I do believe that members of the media wholly supports President Duterte’s war against illegal drugs that has killed so many dreams and hopes of young victims. But just an unsolicited advice. PNP Chief Bato could just say “thank you” the next time he hears or reads criticisms of the untidy performance of his policemen. He could cite the ongoing retraining of the policemen formerly assigned in Caloocan as an example of PNP’s efforts to cleanse its ranks of misfits.
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Sacred Heart School (Boys) Batch 85 did a splendid job in organizing and hosting the Binibining Cebu where all the towns and cities of the province were represented. This is not to compare it though with the Miss Cebu City or Miss Sinulog competition that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña scrapped.
The Binibining Cebu pageant gives young, talented and beautiful women of Cebu a chance to participate in a major beauty contest. This is not meant to despise Mayor Tommy, who discarded the Miss Cebu City pageant, says an organizer.