Dela Rosa apologizes for outburst

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa apologized Monday, October 9, for his recent outburst where he called critics of the drug war "ingrates."

"Pasensya na 'yung tinamaan sa sinabi ko na ingrate... Spur of the moment na reaction ko lang ‘yun na masasabi ko," he said.

[I apologized to those who were affected by what I've said — ingrates... I can say that it was just my spur of the moment reaction]

"Ako normal lang ako (na tao) nagpapakita lang ako sa feeling ko. I feel frustrated. I feel sad. Pinapakita ko sa inyo hindi ako plastic. Kung sabihin ko na nag flare-up ako yes nag flare-up ako dahil masakit sa akin 'yung ganun na palaging sinasabi. Hindi ako pulitiko na magpa-pacute sa inyo kahit na galit na, ayaw ipakita, kahit na masama ang loob ayaw ipapalabas 'yung damdamin," he added.

[I am just a normal person who shows what I really feel. I feel frustrated. I feel sad. I show you what I feel without sugar coating. I admit I flare up because it hurts for me to hear such very often. I am not a politician who will keep what they really feel although they are already mad.]

Dela Rosa clarified that he was not forcing the public to thank them for the preservation of public peace, as it was part of their duty as members of the PNP.

On Tuesday, Dela Rosa called the critics of the government's brutal war against illegal drugs "ingrates," saying critics have been benefiting from the current peace and order in the country as a result of the war on drugs.

Dela Rosa made the statement amid the public's outrage on the rising death toll of suspects in the government's drug war.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) data show from July 1 to August 29, a total of 3,800 drug suspects were killed while 1,017,156 others were arrested during the conduct of over 70,000 operations.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Aquilino Pimentel III and other personalities from various sectors earlier denounced Dela Rosa's outburst.

"I would rather be an ingrate and save lives from being lost because of impunity, the culture of impunity of our PNP," said Drilon.

"He is paid by the taxpayers to do his job and we always, we support the war on drugs, but not the extrajudicial killings. No question, we support the war on drugs but huwag naman sa ganitong paraan," he added.

Pimentel, for his part, said the large number of "deaths under investigation" is unacceptable.

"Where is the peace and order that Dela Rosa says the people are ungrateful for?" the Senate leader said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, said he understands Dela Rosa's frustration on the matter.

"I may not be supportive of such outbursts coming from the country's top law enforcer but I'm willing to extend some allowance and understanding of such reaction to the PNP critics," he said.

However, Dela Rosa said he will not engage in a debate against the lawmakers as he is only a police officer.

"Pero kung nagtatanong siya sa peace and order dapat hindi ako ang tanungin niya. Tanungin niya 'yung mga ordinaryong tao sa kalsada. Magtanong siya doon kung ano pakiramdam ng mga tao ngayon. Kung may pagbabago ba talaga," he said.

[If he is asking about peace and order, he should not ask me. He should ask the ordinary people on the street. He should ask them how they really feel right now and if they feel the change.] (SunStar Philippines)

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