Dela Rosa denies culture of impunity in PNP | ABS-CBN
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Dela Rosa denies culture of impunity in PNP
Dela Rosa denies culture of impunity in PNP
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 23, 2020 02:18 PM PHT
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Updated Dec 23, 2020 04:04 PM PHT
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MANILA - Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa on Wednesday said no one has been ordering police officers to kill and denied that there is a culture of impunity among cops.
MANILA - Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa on Wednesday said no one has been ordering police officers to kill and denied that there is a culture of impunity among cops.
International watchdog Human Rights Watch said the recent killing of 2 unarmed civilians by Police Staff Sgt. Jonel Nuezca "underscores the impunity that prevails in the Philippines" and that it occurred in an "enabling environment for police violence" that President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged.
International watchdog Human Rights Watch said the recent killing of 2 unarmed civilians by Police Staff Sgt. Jonel Nuezca "underscores the impunity that prevails in the Philippines" and that it occurred in an "enabling environment for police violence" that President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged.
Dela Rosa, who headed the Philippine National Police at the start of Duterte's term in mid-2016, said Nuezca's actions should not be linked to the entire police organization.
Dela Rosa, who headed the Philippine National Police at the start of Duterte's term in mid-2016, said Nuezca's actions should not be linked to the entire police organization.
He noted as well that in the bloody war on drugs, many police officers also died, and not just suspects.
He noted as well that in the bloody war on drugs, many police officers also died, and not just suspects.
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"Sabi mo na culture of impunity? Tell me kung sino. From the President down to the lowest level of command, sino bang nagsasabi na patayin, patayin, patayin 'yang mga ganyan? Wala naman nagsasabi," he told ANC's Headstart.
"Sabi mo na culture of impunity? Tell me kung sino. From the President down to the lowest level of command, sino bang nagsasabi na patayin, patayin, patayin 'yang mga ganyan? Wala naman nagsasabi," he told ANC's Headstart.
(You said culture of impunity? Tell me who. From the President down to the lowest level of command, who among them said kill, kill, kill those people? No one said that.)
(You said culture of impunity? Tell me who. From the President down to the lowest level of command, who among them said kill, kill, kill those people? No one said that.)
Nuezca's action was "personal" and was not part of any police operation, Dela Rosa said, insisting that this was an "isolated case."
Nuezca's action was "personal" and was not part of any police operation, Dela Rosa said, insisting that this was an "isolated case."
Asked if he believes there is a culture of impunity in the PNP, he said: "No. Ginagamit lang yan ng critics na gustong sirain ang gobyerno natin."
Asked if he believes there is a culture of impunity in the PNP, he said: "No. Ginagamit lang yan ng critics na gustong sirain ang gobyerno natin."
(No. That is just used by critics who want to destroy our government.)
(No. That is just used by critics who want to destroy our government.)
"Mag-interview ka sa pulis, kung sinong pulis ang gustong pumatay. Wala namang pulis na gustong pumatay," he said.
"Mag-interview ka sa pulis, kung sinong pulis ang gustong pumatay. Wala namang pulis na gustong pumatay," he said.
(Interview police officers, ask them who wants to kill? No police officer wants to kill.)
(Interview police officers, ask them who wants to kill? No police officer wants to kill.)
As Duterte's first top cop, Dela Rosa spearheaded the war on drugs in the early years of the administration.
As Duterte's first top cop, Dela Rosa spearheaded the war on drugs in the early years of the administration.
Based on the latest government report, the campaign has claimed the lives of 5,942 suspected illegal drugs personalities and the arrest of 266,126, from July 1, 2016 until Oct. 31, 2020. Human rights groups say though that thousands more have died in alleged extrajudicial killings.
Based on the latest government report, the campaign has claimed the lives of 5,942 suspected illegal drugs personalities and the arrest of 266,126, from July 1, 2016 until Oct. 31, 2020. Human rights groups say though that thousands more have died in alleged extrajudicial killings.
Authorities say suspects who died fought back during the operations.
Authorities say suspects who died fought back during the operations.
Early this month, Duterte told law enforcers and prosecutors to "never waver" in the fight against the narcotics trade despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early this month, Duterte told law enforcers and prosecutors to "never waver" in the fight against the narcotics trade despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also repeated his accusation that rights defenders are "preoccupied" with the life of criminals, his advice for law enforcers to shoot suspects who fight back, and his promise to take responsibility for deaths in operations.
He also repeated his accusation that rights defenders are "preoccupied" with the life of criminals, his advice for law enforcers to shoot suspects who fight back, and his promise to take responsibility for deaths in operations.
"Me, as mayor and now as President, I have to protect every man, woman, and child from the evils of drugs. Ayaw ninyong maniwala? Kayo. Basta sinabi ko, ang laro dito, patayan because nakita mo naman marami naman akong pulis na patay," Duterte said last Dec. 3 in a ceremonial destruction of seized illegal drugs at a facility in Cavite province.
"Me, as mayor and now as President, I have to protect every man, woman, and child from the evils of drugs. Ayaw ninyong maniwala? Kayo. Basta sinabi ko, ang laro dito, patayan because nakita mo naman marami naman akong pulis na patay," Duterte said last Dec. 3 in a ceremonial destruction of seized illegal drugs at a facility in Cavite province.
(You don't believe me? That's up to you. Like I said, the game here is killing, because you see, I have many cops who have died.)
(You don't believe me? That's up to you. Like I said, the game here is killing, because you see, I have many cops who have died.)
Nuezca's brutal killing of Sonia and Frank Anthony Gregorio last Sunday in Tarlac brought attention once again to the actions of police officers.
Nuezca's brutal killing of Sonia and Frank Anthony Gregorio last Sunday in Tarlac brought attention once again to the actions of police officers.
In a speech on Monday evening, Duterte said that although he supports policemen, he will not condone them if they do something wrong. What Nuezca did was "unfair and brutal," he said.
In a speech on Monday evening, Duterte said that although he supports policemen, he will not condone them if they do something wrong. What Nuezca did was "unfair and brutal," he said.
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Global prayers as Vatican says pope still 'critical'
Global prayers as Vatican says pope still 'critical'
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 24, 2025 06:39 AM PHT
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VATICAN CITY, Holy See - Pope Francis's condition "remains critical", the Vatican said Sunday on his 10th day in hospital as Catholics around the world prayed for the 88-year-old's recovery.
VATICAN CITY, Holy See - Pope Francis's condition "remains critical", the Vatican said Sunday on his 10th day in hospital as Catholics around the world prayed for the 88-year-old's recovery.
Francis has not had another respiratory attack since suffering a prolonged episode on Saturday morning, but continues to receive "high-flow" oxygen through a nasal cannula, the Holy See said in an update.
Francis has not had another respiratory attack since suffering a prolonged episode on Saturday morning, but continues to receive "high-flow" oxygen through a nasal cannula, the Holy See said in an update.
The Argentine pontiff was during the day given two units of concentrated red blood cells and his thrombocytopenia -- a condition that occurs when the platelet count in the blood is too low -- is stable, it said.
The Argentine pontiff was during the day given two units of concentrated red blood cells and his thrombocytopenia -- a condition that occurs when the platelet count in the blood is too low -- is stable, it said.
"However, some blood tests demonstrate an initial, mild, renal failure, currently under control," the statement continued.
"However, some blood tests demonstrate an initial, mild, renal failure, currently under control," the statement continued.
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Francis is alert but "the complexity of the clinical picture, and the need to wait for the pharmacological treatments to have some effect, mean that the prognosis remains reserved", it concluded.
Francis is alert but "the complexity of the clinical picture, and the need to wait for the pharmacological treatments to have some effect, mean that the prognosis remains reserved", it concluded.
The pope, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties.
The pope, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties.
He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis but this developed into pneumonia in both lungs -- and on Saturday night, the Vatican warned for the first time that his condition was critical.
He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis but this developed into pneumonia in both lungs -- and on Saturday night, the Vatican warned for the first time that his condition was critical.
In Sunday's update, it added: "The Holy Father's condition remains critical; however, since yesterday evening he has not presented any further respiratory crises."
In Sunday's update, it added: "The Holy Father's condition remains critical; however, since yesterday evening he has not presented any further respiratory crises."
- Pray for me -
In a message published Sunday but written in the past few days, Francis thanked hospital staff and said he had confidence in his treatment.
In a message published Sunday but written in the past few days, Francis thanked hospital staff and said he had confidence in his treatment.
"I am confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment -- and rest is also part of the therapy!" he said.
"I am confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment -- and rest is also part of the therapy!" he said.
"I ask you to pray for me," he concluded in the text published in lieu of his weekly Sunday Angelus, which he normally delivers from a window overlooking St Peter's Square.
"I ask you to pray for me," he concluded in the text published in lieu of his weekly Sunday Angelus, which he normally delivers from a window overlooking St Peter's Square.
Well-wishers have been leaving candles outside the Gemelli, where Francis is staying in a special papal suite on the 10th floor, and where the Vatican said he took part in a mass on Sunday morning.
Well-wishers have been leaving candles outside the Gemelli, where Francis is staying in a special papal suite on the 10th floor, and where the Vatican said he took part in a mass on Sunday morning.
"I am praying for him, for his health, because he is a special person for all of us," Italian teacher Ilde Zito told AFP at the hospital.
"I am praying for him, for his health, because he is a special person for all of us," Italian teacher Ilde Zito told AFP at the hospital.
Prayers and messages of solidarity also came in from among the almost 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe, alongside other Christians and world leaders.
Prayers and messages of solidarity also came in from among the almost 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe, alongside other Christians and world leaders.
In the cathedral of Buenos Aires, where Francis was once archbishop, TV screens at the entrance showed images of then Jorge Bergoglio's good works, and the priest held a special mass Sunday.
In the cathedral of Buenos Aires, where Francis was once archbishop, TV screens at the entrance showed images of then Jorge Bergoglio's good works, and the priest held a special mass Sunday.
"He is strong, he has always been strong, but there is nature," Hector Armando Diaz, 76, a retired sales clerk, told AFP there.
"He is strong, he has always been strong, but there is nature," Hector Armando Diaz, 76, a retired sales clerk, told AFP there.
"I know he is very ill and old. I hope he recovers, but it makes me sad."
"I know he is very ill and old. I hope he recovers, but it makes me sad."
In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, a former bastion of the Islamic State group that Francis visited in 2021, at least a dozen churches also held prayers for him.
In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, a former bastion of the Islamic State group that Francis visited in 2021, at least a dozen churches also held prayers for him.
"This is the least we can do to express our solidarity, love, and appreciation for this great person," said university professor Adnan Hadi.
"This is the least we can do to express our solidarity, love, and appreciation for this great person," said university professor Adnan Hadi.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her hopes on social media for a speedy recovery for the "great humanist" Francis, the first pope from the Americas.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her hopes on social media for a speedy recovery for the "great humanist" Francis, the first pope from the Americas.
- Suffering more -
In its evening update Saturday, the Vatican had also said Francis was alert and "spent the day in an armchair, even if he was suffering more than" the day before.
In its evening update Saturday, the Vatican had also said Francis was alert and "spent the day in an armchair, even if he was suffering more than" the day before.
But the news of his respiratory attack and blood transfusions sparked widespread shock, and alarm.
But the news of his respiratory attack and blood transfusions sparked widespread shock, and alarm.
"The pope gets worse," headlined Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper Sunday. La Repubblica described it as the "darkest day" at the Vatican.
"The pope gets worse," headlined Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper Sunday. La Repubblica described it as the "darkest day" at the Vatican.
Francis's continued hospitalization has also sparked speculation about whether he might step down.
Francis's continued hospitalization has also sparked speculation about whether he might step down.
He has always left the door open to following his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign.
He has always left the door open to following his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign.
But he has repeatedly said it was not the time.
But he has repeatedly said it was not the time.
The pope maintains a punishing work schedule. He carried out a mammoth 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific in September, but has suffered increasing health issues.
The pope maintains a punishing work schedule. He carried out a mammoth 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific in September, but has suffered increasing health issues.
He underwent colon surgery in 2021 and an operation for a hernia two years later. He is overweight and has constant hip and knee pain, which forces him to use a wheelchair.
He underwent colon surgery in 2021 and an operation for a hernia two years later. He is overweight and has constant hip and knee pain, which forces him to use a wheelchair.
bur-ar/jj
© Agence France-Presse
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