Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB)

Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’  dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, on Saturday, April 15, said his blood boils over the alleged involvement of some ranking Philippine National Police (PNP) officers in the alleged theft of the seized drugs weighing 999 kilos.

He also strongly advised PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to speak up and clear the doubts, so that this case would be laid to rest.

Azurin was reportedly scheduled to talk on the controversial drug bust on Monday. He is scheduled to retire soon.

‘’Sabi ko nga sa kanya bago siya magretire yung mga pinaparesign niya na senior officers dapat madesisyunan yan bago siya umalis (I told him that before he retires, he should make a decision on PNP senior officials he had asked to resign),’’ dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said.

Asked how he feels about the alleged linkage of some ranking PNP officers to the multi-billion-peso drug haul, Dela Rosa said his "blood boils".

‘’Kumukulo ang dugo ko at nanggigigil ako at sarap pagsasakalin ng mga pulis na yan (My blood boils and I want to strangle them). Kainis na talaga, di na natuto (I'm pissed off that they haven’t learned). Di na natuto wala talaga, parang total disregard what is morally right and morally wrong, wala na silang moralidad (As if there is total disregard what is morally right and morally wrong. They have no morality),’’ he said.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Saturday, April 15,  expressed his support for the plan of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate ranking Philippine National Police (PNP) officials reportedly linked to a P6.7 billion drug haul last year.

Go emphasized the importance of truth and accountability in addressing the issue of illegal drugs, which has been a major concern in the country for years.

In terms of what should be done with the police officials who are found to be involved in illegal drug activities, Go said that they should be held accountable for their actions.

On Tuesday, the PNP welcomed the decision of the DILG to probe the arrest of former police officer Rodolfo Mayo who was implicated in the P6.7-billion drug haul in October last year and has since been terminated from his position.

The DILG expressed doubts about Mayo acting alone, indicating that there might have been other officers involved.

“Alam n’yo, the truth must come out. Katotohanan lagi. In fairness sa lahat ng pulis, ‘yung totoo po (The truth always, in fairness to all the policemen),’” Go said.

He also emphasized that the fight against illegal drugs should continue, citing, “Ayaw nating masayang ang inumpisahan ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na labanan po ang ilegal na droga (We don’t want the anti-illegal drug campaign of former President Duterte go to naught). Kapag bumalik ang ilegal na droga, babalik po ang kriminalidad, babalik po ang korapsyon sa gobyerno (when illegal drugs return to the market, crime will also come bv back, corruption in government will also come back),’’ he added.

The senator also stressed the importance of separating the few bad apples from the many honest and dedicated police officers who are working hard to keep the community safe.