‘PNP chief Rommel Francico Marbil has ordered an investigation that would apparently include Dela Rosa, who has also denied any hand in the reward system during his tenure as PNP chief.’
MANY are convinced it was hard for then PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa not to have anything to do with ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer of rewards to policemen for killing drug suspects.
This covert reward system in the PNP was disclosed by retired police Col. Royina Garma in a tearful testimony before the House Quad committee. She said “the policy Duterte implemented when he was still Davao City mayor involved a reward system that encouraged PNP personnel to kill drug personalities.”
The amounts would go to “as high as P1 million.” She said it was “public knowledge” that many high-profile killings from 2016 to 2022 were connected with the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Garma did not mention Dela Rosa as involved in the enforcement of the rewards policy for killing drug suspects but claimed Sen. Bong Go, Duterte’s long-time aide, as having a role She alleged that Go would meet regularly with then police Gen. Edilberto Leonardo whom Durete had assigned as paymaster in the release of money for the execution of numerous drug suspects.
She also claimed that “Leonardo reported the drug war expenses directly to the former Special Assistant to the President.” Go has denied Garma’s allegations, saying her testimony was a diversionary tactic “to muddle the issue she is facing on the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga”
PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered an investigation that would apparently include Dela Rosa, who has also denied any hand in the reward system during his tenure as PNP chief.
Several police officers also came out with similar disclosures against their colleagues at the height of the drug war but eventually fell silent. Their possible involvement in the cold-blooded killings of drug suspects in exchange for large sums of money was not zealously pursued by the news media.
It will be a close mayoral fight between Congresswoman Ma’an Teodoro, the wife of current Mayor Marcy Teodoro, and Stella Quimbo in Marikina City. Both have been solicitous and generous in helping the marginalized sectors, especially during natural calamities which usually bring massive flooding in several areas of the city.
Teodoro is banking on the gratitude of the people for the selfless and relentless efforts of her husband, which became quite evident during the pandemic and flooding. Quimbo’s assistance to depressed communities has also been persistent and notable.
The popularity of Sen. Koko Pimentel as a national public figure going up against Mayor Teodoro may not apply in the local polls. They are running for the congressional seat in District 2 in the city. However, many Marikenos may find it difficult to appreciate the numerous accomplishments of Pimentel as the Senate Minority Leader in the context of local issues affecting them. Due to their deep political ties, Pimentel and Teodoro have agreed initially not to run against each other. Many in Marikina were taken aback by the decision of Pimentel to renege on the agreement. Were those concessions worked out by House Speaker Martin Romualdez?
Former Channel 9 TV senior news reporter and anchor Richard Rivera has filed his candidacy for mayor of Cainta City, challenging the name and abundant resources of the Nieto clan. Rivera has become a successful businessman in the publishing field and his years as an outstanding news personality may yet make a big difference in the campaign. He will certainly need a strong political base both online and on the ground.
