Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte has expressed his concern on the comeback of the operations of drug syndicates in the country, Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa disclosed on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
“Talagang nalungkot siya na meron na namang pangyayari. But he doesn't want to interfere how this government is running its own show. Ayaw niya…. Concern lang siya na babalik uli 'yung ninja cops [at] mga narco politicians. Kawawa ang mga bata,” Dela Rosa told reporters in an press conference.
During his administration, Duterte became known for his “kamay na bakal” or iron fist against illegal drugs.
The Senator said many drug traders and users have lost fear since Duterte stepped down from the post.
Dela Rosa noted that the current administration is doing a great job on its anti-drugs efforts, but he stressed the need to intensify these to reignite the “fear factor.”
“Umalis si President Duterte sa Malacanang, tapos bumalik sila. Kaya nga I am encouraging the PNP [Philippine National Police], diinan pa ninyo ang imbestigasyon. Talagang lilinisin mo pati ang hanay natin. Continuing internal cleansing process tayo. Tuloy-tuloy dapat ngayon,” the Senator said.
During his privileged speech at Monday's Senate Session, Dela Rosa pronounced that drug traders are "back and they are coming back with with a vengeance."
He cited the arrest of an official and two agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a buy-bust operation in Taguig as well as the confiscation of Php 6.7 billion worth of shabu in Manila.
"Hindi po sila tumitigil, kaya ganoon din dapat tayo. Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating mga nasimulan na at gamitin ang mga natutunan mula sa mga karanasang napulot natin mula sa nakaraang administrasyon," Dela Rosa said.
