Bato: We don’t feel happy killing Pinoys but it will continue

MANILA, Philippines — Roughly six days before Christmas, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sought forgiveness from God for the killings that happened since the administration launched its war on drugs.

Dela Rosa said that despite their wrongdoings, the victims of their relentless campaign against illegal drugs still deserve to live their lives. However, some things happen beyond their control, the PNP chief said.

“Hinihingi namin sa pamilya ng ating kapulisan na ipagdasal kami na sana Lord patawad kahit na masasamang tao ‘yung namatay they are still people, they are still human beings and they still deserve to live dahil wala po sa karapatan namin na kitilin ang kanilang buhay pero nangyayari ‘yan dahil we don't have the complete control of the situation,” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

“Kung ‘yung buhay naman ng pulis ang mawawala para lang ma-preserve ang buhay ng isang kriminal, malaking injustice ho ‘yan sa ating mundo. Hindi ‘yan pwede na mamamatay ‘yung mabubuting tao, ‘yung masasama ang mabubuhay, so may nangyari talaga na namatay sila so forgive us,” he added.

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On the other hand, the PNP chief clarified that not all the killings can be blamed on them since some syndicates are riding on the war or drugs, particularly the vigilante-style killings.

Dela Rosa asked the public to understand that their operation, which is marred by criticisms, is for the betterment of the country.

“Sorry po, Lord. Patawarin ninyo po kami pero ‘yun lang ang masasabi ko, ginagawa namin ito hindi para sa amin or whatever purpose, hindi pampersonal kundi para ito sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” he said.

He said that the killings might continue since they are far away from stopping the war on drugs.

“I am also begging your indulgence to please understand if the killings will continue, but we will not stop our war on drugs. Kung mayroong mamamatay pasensya na po dahil hindi kami humihinto sa aming trabaho,” Dela Rosa said.

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“Hanggat nandiyan ‘yung problema we will continue confronting that problem. Hindi po mahihinto ito. We cannot guarantee you na walang mamamatay dahil in every action there is a corresponding reaction,” he added.

The PNP recorded over 6,000 deaths since the start of the war on drugs. Out of this number, some 2,124 were killed in legitimate police operations.