Bato asks PNP, DILG to be vigilant vs. resurgence of ninja cops

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Wednesday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to keep an eye on the resurgence of ninja cops in Metro Manila.

The former PNP chief-turned-lawmaker made the appeal after he claimed on Monday that drug syndicates are back and they have returned with a vengeance.

He cited the arrests of personnel from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who were nabbed in separate buy-bust operations.

“PNP mismo ang naghuli…Kaya nga lang, dapat vigilant tayo palagi. Advice ko nga sa PNP at sa DILG, bantayan ninyo ‘yang mga ninja cops. Kung makabalik ‘yan, sasakit na naman ang ulo natin,” dela Rosa said in GMA News’ Unang Balita interview.

(It was the PNP itself that arrested them...However, we must always be vigilant. My advice to the PNP and the DILG is to watch out for those ninja cops. If they come back, we will have headaches again.)

He said he was able to talk with DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday and raised this concern of his.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, bantayan talaga natin ‘yan na hindi makabalik ang mga ganyang klaseng tao kasi sasakit ang ulo natin. Sabi naman niya, ‘We are doing something about it.’ Hintay-hintayin lang natin…Basta andyan po, meron silang ginagawa,” dela Rosa added.

(I told him to really watch out for those kinds of people not to come back because it will give us a headache. He said that they are doing something about it. Let's just wait for it, they're doing something.)

The term “ninja cops” refers to police officers who are themselves in the illegal drug trade, usually by supposedly "recycling" confiscated drugs to sell back on the street.

Asked if he sees any lack in the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs, dela Rosa said that “so far, they are doing their best.”

“Ang PNP drug enforcement ngayon ay nagiging biktima lang dahil nga pag-alis ni President Duterte, nawalan ng takot itong mga drug personality at bumabalik na naman sila. Sabi ko sa kanila, double time kayo. Dapat i-compensate ninyo na nawalan ng takot ang drug personality na bumabalik na naman, dapat i-compensate niyo with your effort. Talagang upakan niyo nang husto,” he said.

(The PNP drug enforcement has become a victim because after President Duterte left, these drug personalities lost their fear and they are now coming back. I told them that they should double time. They should compensate their efforts with the resurgence of drug personalities.)

“‘Yung approach natin, concentrate on the big face… pero 'wag din natin kalimutan ang small face,” he added.

(Our approach is to concentrate on the big faces... but let's not forget the small faces as well.)

The national government earlier launched its anti-illegal drugs advocacy program dubbed as Buhay Ay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA), described as an intensified and more holistic campaign.

Dela Rosa said Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte was saddened by reports on the apparent resurgence of the drug problem in the country but he does not want to interfere with the current administration's efforts. —KG, GMA Integrated News