By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa admitted on Thursday (29 August 2024) that he instructed Pol. Col Jovie Espenido to tackle drug issues in Albuera, Leyte.
“‘Yun ang instruction ko sa kanya. Dapat buwagin niya ‘yung mga sindikato diyan, pero hindi ko sinabi na patayin,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.
“Alangan naman magbibigay ako ng illegal na instruction sa pulis. Hindi ko siya papasunod ng ganon,” he added.
During a House investigation into the drug war, Espenido revealed that Dela Rosa had told him that the then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief wanted drug syndicates to be eliminated.
“Your Honor, Mr. Chair, isang general na salita lang ang ibinigay sa amin, lahat alam na namin ang ibig sabihin. ‘Pag sinabi na mawala, kasali na diyan ang mamatay, very obvious sa amin,” Espenido told the House panel.
Espenido had previously admitted to the existence of a quota and reward system, stating that rewards were given to police officers for killing drug suspects.
“I confirm that there was a quota and reward system in the implementation of the war on drugs during the previous administration. I truly wanted to implement it without causing deaths.”
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