Bato says Davao police security detail reinstated ahead of polls

Metro Manila, Philippines - More than a month after revealing that his police security detail in Davao was recalled, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the team was reinstated just before the May 12 midterm elections.

“Binalik na the other day, yung dalawa na tinanggal dito [They were brought back the other day - the two who were recalled],” Dela Rosa told NewsWatch Plus on Wednesday, May 14.

He said he did not request the return of his two police escorts, nor did he seek an explanation for their recall in March.

“Itong mga pulis na ito, taking orders lang ito. Pag sinabing report, report, pag sinabing recall, recall [These police officers are just following orders. If they’re told to report, they report. If they’re told to withdraw, they withdraw],” Dela Rosa, a former top cop said.

“Siguro nakita nila na dapat ibalik na dahil wala akong security dito sa Davao so binalik nila. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Philippine National Police [Maybe they realized it was necessary to bring them back because I had no security here in Davao. So they reinstated them. I thank the Philippine National Police],” he added.

On March 25, Dela Rosa revealed that he had been stripped of his police security detail in his hometown of Davao City. The senator explained that he maintained two separate security teams to reduce transportation costs, as he frequently travels to Davao. However, when he arrived home on a Monday in March, the security detail usually assigned to receive him was no longer reporting.

The Philippine National Police, however, clarified that the recall occurred in January, in compliance with Commission on Elections guidelines that suspend the authority to assign security personnel at the start of the election period. The PNP said four security personnel remained assigned to Dela Rosa after securing an exemption from the poll body.