Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has extended his hand in peace to criminals and their other enemies this Christmas by inviting them to celebrate the Yuletide season at the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“They can come inside here in (Camp) Crame. I will not arrest them,” Dela Rosa assured Monday when asked for his Christmas Day message to lawbreakers.

“They can come here and celebrate Christmas with us, provided they don’t commit crimes,” he said.

Dela Rosa said Christmas is not limited only to the good citizens of the country but also for offenders, saying there is still a chance for criminals to change their ways.

“They are still people,” he said. “There might be a chance for them to change if I allow them to have breakfast here.”

Dela Rosa sought forgiveness from for the suspected drug offenders who have been killed in police operations and prayers from the people who are the reason why they were being dealt with severely.

“Sorry Lord, forgive us, but all I can say is we’re doing this not for ourselves or for whatever purpose, not for our personal gain, but for the future of our nation,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.

From July 1 to Dec. 21, 2,133 suspected drug offenders were killed by lawmen in police operations while 2,928 others died at the hands of suspected vigilante groups.

A total of 41,894 alleged drug personalities have been arrested in the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs while 953,622 had surrendered, composed of 73,826 pushers and 879,796 users.

Dela Rosa emphasized there is no joy in killing people involved in drugs, especially the poor, stressing that he came from a poor family.

He expressed frustration that despite the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs the past five months when thousands have been killed, there are still people who either sell or remain hooked on drugs.

“I don’t know why others are still doing it despite what’s happening,” Dela Rosa said.