MANILA - (UPDATE) Philippine National Police Chief, Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Tuesday said critics of the administration's war on drugs are ingrates who are benefiting from the lower crime rate in the country.

"Prangka lang ako. You can criticize us to high heavens but I can tell you straight sa inyong mga mata, 'yung mga critic, sabihan ko kayo, ingrato kayo. Alam ko nakikinabang din kayo sa peace and order na idinulot ng war on drugs," he said in an ambush interview.

Dela Rosa made the statement on the sidelines of a memorandum of agreement signing event between the PNP and the Light Rail Transit Authority for the security of LRT-2 riders.

Two opposition congressmen meanwhile slammed Dela Rosa for his statements.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin chided Dela Rosa for calling his critics ingrates.

"Walang utang na loob ang taumbayan sa kaniya. Trabaho niya yan," Alejano said.

"Kung tingin n[i] Gen. Dela Rosa pagiging ingrate [ang] paghabol sa katarungan...Nasa ibang planeta yung ganiyang pananaw. Ito talamak na itong war against drugs," Villarin said.

On Monday the country's top cop said the crime rate has gone down by almost 40% as a result of the intensified campaign against narcotics.

• More addicts but less crime? Bato, Lacson view different metrics on war on drugs

He also lauded the relieved police force of Caloocan for their efforts on implementing the campaign against illegal drugs in the city. He proceeded to criticize the media for "nitpicking" on the "small" errors by cops.

• 'Bato' praises Caloocan cops, blasts media for 'nitpicking'

--report from Henry Atuelan and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News