MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Monday confronted criticisms on the government's struggle to rehabilitate thousands of drug suspects who are surrendering to authorities amid the brutal war on narcotics.

While Dela Rosa admitted that there is a shortage of facilities to accommodate some 700,000 reforming drug suspects, he also stressed that the government cannot suspend its crackdown on drugs.

Doing so, he argued, will only benefit drug kingpins and trigger a renewed rise of crime figures.

"Dadami na naman ang krimen, dadami na naman ang mamamatay, dadami na naman ang mare-rape. At pinakaimportante doon, tuwang tuwa na naman iyung mayayamang drug lord dahil tuloy ang negosyo nila," he told reporters at Camp Crame.

[Crimes will just increase again, more people will be killed, more people will be raped. And most importantly, rich drug lords will celebrate because their business can resume.]

The top cop called on critics to offer concrete aid instead of lambasting the government's shortcomings.

"Itong mga Pilipinong sige criticize sa amin [To the Filipinos criticizing us], I am pleading to please help us instead of criticizing us. Pareho naman tayong Pilipino, gusto nating magkaroon ng magandang komunidad na safe para sa lahat. Magtulungan tayo [We are noth Filipios, we want a community that is safe for everyone. Let us help each other]," he said.

Dela Rosa also noted that some business groups have contributed funds for the construction of additional drug rehabilitation centers.

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Malacañang earlier bared plans for opening ''large capacity'' drug rehabilitation centers under a public-private partnerships.