Press Release - Dela Rosa appeals to PNP: Restore friendly ties with Davaoeños

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to restore friendly ties with the people of Davao City as he noticed the wearing of some police officers at checkpoints which he deemed as an act of intimidation.

The former PNP chief-turned-lawmaker made the reminder to the PNP as he led the Senate inquiry into the alleged use of excessive force in the serving of arrest warrant against Kingdom of Jesus Christ's Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Over the weekend, Dela Rosa shared that he went home to Davao City and decided to pass by the KOJC compound to check the situation in the area.

While he sees no problem on several checkpoints across the city, Dela Rosa noticed that the cops manning it are wearing face masks, which he said are not part of the regular police uniforms.

"Tinanong ko 'yung mga patrolman, 'Dong, is that facemask part of your uniform talaga? Wala namang COVID ngayon eh bakit kayong lahat naka face mask? Ano ba 'yan? Intimidating factor ba 'yang ginagawa niyo?" he said.

According to Dela Rosa, the patrolman whom he spoke to did not respond to his inquiry.

Being a former policeman and a resident of Davao City himself, Dela Rosa said it is painful for him to see that his kababayans are losing their trust to the PNP.

"Kasi ganito, sir, DILG, taga-Davao ako. Ramdam ko 'yung sentimyento ng mga tao ng Davao. Right now, talagang ang kanilang pagtingin sa pulis ay nagbago. Matagal nilang minahal ang pulis, Davao City Police Office...Ilang taon yan hall of famer palaging best police station of the year...Ngayon parang biglang bumaliktad ang pagtingin ng mga tao," said Dela Rosa addressing Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.

The senator, who is also a former chief of Davao City Police Office, pointed out that the arrest warrant was only meant for Quiboloy and his co-accused. But due to the

recent PNP operations against the KOJC leader, the cops are "alienating" themselves from the rest of the community.

"Alam naman natin 'yung ating policing concept na the police is the community, the community is the police. Dapat ang samahan natin d'yan ay maganda pero ngayon it pains me. I'm a Davao City police for my whole life...pero naramdaman ko