Trillanes to Bato: Duterte will not always be there to protect you

Photo by ABS-CBN News

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV reminded Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” De la Rosa during the Senate inquiry on extrajudicial killings in the country on Monday that when the time comes, President Rodrigo Duterte might no longer be able to ‘protect’ him.

The senator grilled Dela Rosa for the spate of vigilante killings under his watch and reminded him that Duterte would only be sitting for six years and could not protect him when the term ends.

“General, umiikot ‘yung mundo eh. Ngayon si Duterte naka-pwesto; eh malay natin ‘yung susunod na pwesto ang priority ay human rights at magconduct ng investigation, by then retired na kayo at nakatiwang-wang mga pulis,” Trillanes said.

He also gave the same reminder to the policemen.

“Kapag binuksan ang honest to goodness investigations, kailangan properly sagutin nila. Otherwise, sila rin manangot long after commanders nila nagretire na—‘yung mga nag-guarantee sa kanila na, ‘Sagot ko kayo,’ walang mangyayari habang sila nasa pwesto. Pero hindi sila habang buhay nakapwesto,” he said.

He also reminded the PNP chief to uphold the learnings that the Philippine Military Academy taught them.

“We were not trained by the (Philippine Military) Academy to do what’s wrong and illegal,” the senator said.

 “Let’s just do the right thing. Alam natin kung ano ang tama. Hindi tayo tinrain sa academy to do what’s wrong and illegal (We know what is right. We weren’t trained in the academy to do what’s wrong and illegal),” he added.

Dela Rosa came from the class of 1986 while Trillanes was from the class of 1995.

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