Duterte says Dela Rosa remains chief of the Philippine National Police      

January 23, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has cleared Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa from any responsibility on the murder of South Korean businessman inside CampCrame.

Duterte attended the 55th birthday celebration of Dela Rosa in Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City on Sunday night.

"From the looks of it, I did not see criminal intent on the part of Dela Rosa and the rest of the group," Duterte said.

Duterte said vehicles of police officials entering the headquarters sometimes could not be a subject of checks, indicating this could be why the policemen allegedly involved in the slaying of South Korean Jee Ick-joo were able to pull it off.

Duterte said if he removed Dela Rosa, he and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez would not be present in the birthday celebration.

Alvarez attended the birthday party even if he was one among those first who called for Dela Rosa's resignation to spare Duterte from further embarrassment following the murder of Jee inside Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa, speaking to reporters, said: “When the president entered there, I talked to him. Sir they are calling for my resignation, will I resign? He said no, you have to work, you have to work,” he said.

He said he had a long talk with Alvarez  “The number one (person) who called for (my) resignation is Speaker Alvarez. He was also there last night… We had a private conversation so it’s ok now,” he said.

Duterte said he always supports policemen who have been following his orders.

"If I say shoot them, you shoot them, (but) not the Speaker," he said in jest.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto defended Duterte's support to Dela Rosa, amid criticisms this could be tantamount to tolerating some alleged rogue policemen.

"I think they misunderstand the situation," Abella said referring to those critical of the president's decision to retain Dela Rosa as PNP chief.

Asked of the effect of the murder of Jee on the credibility of the PNP's "tokhang campaign" against illegal drugs, he said, "Like I said, this simply goes to show that the depth of corruption has really taken root within government institutions and we need to continue to support efforts like the President’s and the PNP Director General Dela Rosa in their pursuit of making --- of addressing crime and corruption."

Jee was reportedly a victim of kidnapping in the guise of tokhang operation by alleged unscrupulous policemen. Celerina Monte, Robina Asido/DMS