Bato on death of 3-year-old in drug raid: Shit happens

Shit happens.

This was the reaction of former Philippine National Police chief and neophyte Senator Ronald dela Rosa when told about the death of a three-year old girl during drug buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Dela Rosa said police would always ensure that there would be no collateral damage but things sometimes go awry.

“Sino ba may gusto, ikaw ba pulis ka gusto mong may batang matamaan? Never, kasi ikaw may anak ka rin. Hindi mo gustong may mangyaring ganun pero shit happens during operations,” Dela Rosa said during Kapihan sa Senado.

On June 29, police conducted a buy-bust operation targeting Renato Ulpina and another  drug suspect.

Police claimed Ulpina used his daughter Kateleen Myca Ulpina as a human shield during the shootout but the victim’s family and a witness denied this. 

Four were killed in the incident including Ulpina, Kateleen, another drug suspect, and Senior Master Sergeant Conrad Cabigao who acted as the poseur buyer.

Dela Rosa said the loved ones of the suspect were expected to blame the police for deaths in operations.

“Ganun naman talaga ‘yan palagi na kineclaim palagi ng namatayan na hindi lumaban,” Dela Rosa said.

He then asked how Cabigao died.

“Bakit may namatay na pulis? Paano namatay ‘yung pulis? Binaril niya sarili niya?” he said. 

Dela Rosa said a Senate investigation could be conducted on the matter to refine the rules of engagement.

“Pwede in aid of legislation. Hopefully, we can legislate some amendments or improvements sa batas para maiwasan ang ganung pangyayari. Tignan natin,” Dela Rosa said.

“Gagawa ba tayo ng batas na kapag nalaman mo na may bata sa loob ‘wag ka pumasok dahil baka matamaan ‘yung bata?” he added.

He admitted that a collateral damage at certain instances could not be prevented.

“Aaminin ko sa inyo, merong nangyayari na talagang in the course of operation, honest to goodness, na talagang naging collateral damage dahil nga hindi perfect ang operational enviroment,” he said.

However, police officers who were found who abused their authority have been charged in court.

“Meron din talagang sinadya. Alam natin yung mga kasong sinadya and they are now facing cases, kinasuhan ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said. —NB/GMA News