House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday indicated he was keen on giving Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa another chance to fix the department after he called on him to resign.
In a radio interview Monday morning, Alvarez pointed out that he understood the nature of Dela Rosa’s job given that the PNP has problems within the ranks and exacerbated by the recent abduction and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.
“Sasang-ayon ako sa mga nagmungkahi na bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon si Chief PNP natin na ayusin ‘yung mga gusot na hinaharap ngayon ng PNP,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez added that it was also in support of Duterte who said that the President still has the complete trust to dela Rosa and will stay in his post.
“Alam naman natin na hindi rin ganoon kadali ‘yung trabaho sa dami ng scalawags na naiwan ngayon sa PNP; may mga matitino, ngunit dumami din ‘yung mga masasamang pulis,” Alvarez explained.
It can be recalled that Alvarez on Friday said that Dela Rosa should immediately resign from his post to “save the President from further embarrassment” and “restore respect to the Office of PNP Chief.”
It was after came after Jee was killed inside Camp Crame in October last year, on the same day he was forcibly taken from his home in Pampanga City.
SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, a member of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, was named main suspect in the incident.
In calling for Dela Rosa’s resignation, Alvarez also scored the police official for being seemingly “interested in having a showbiz career and in landing on society pages of newspapers” by doing “mundane things” like singing videoke and watching concerts.
However, Alvarez attended the PNP chief’s birthday celebration held at Camp Crame on Sunday where they were photographed laughing together.
He said that he considers Dela Rosa a friend and that the party gave them an opportunity to talk.
Alvarez explained that he was invited on Dela Rosa’s birthday party that is why he went there as a friend.
“Sabi ko, basta sige, okay na ‘yun, gawin na lang ‘yung kung ano ‘yung sinabi,” he said.
“Gusto ko lang linawin na siyempre, hiwalay ‘yung pagkakaibigan saka doon sa trabaho natin,” Alvarez added.
