On Monday the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday scored Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo for expressing disappointment with the police for coordinating secretly with the Marcos family for the burial of the late nation builder Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last Friday.
Dela Rosa, in a press conference at Camp Crame, defended the police for their participation in the controversial burial, stressing that they are not concerned about the politics behind the ceremony, only the safety of the public, including that of the Marcos family.
“Paano ‘yan kung hindi nag-react ang PNP sa request ng pamilya na tumulong mag-secure tapos magkakaroon ng rally, maraming nasaktan. Anong sasabihin niya? very much disappointed with the PNP for not preparing accordingly sa libing na ’yon?” Dela Rosa said.
“Anong mangyayari sa PNP niyan? Sala sa init, sala sa lamig. Kung hindi kami nag-prepare sasabihin naman balatuba ‘tong mga pulis. Ililibing si Marcos, hindi nag-prepare? So saan kami pupunta ngayon? Kawawa ang pulis natin, bahala sila,” he said.
The police chief said the PNP does not care where, when and how the late strongman will be buried. He said the police will only fulfill their duty to secure the Marcos family and ensure peace and order in the ceremony.
“Kami wala kaming pakialam kung ilibing si Marcos o hindi—kung saan siya ililibing, kailan, paano siya ililibing. Basta sa amin lang, kapag may gulo dapat andyan kami to respond to gulo. ‘Yan po ang aming papel,” he said.
“Hindi kami kasama sa plano kung saan siya lilibing. Hindi sa amin ‘yang Libingan. Ang importante nandyan kami kasi kung inatake ng mga militante ‘yung mga Marcos loyalists na nakipaglibing at ‘yung pamilya, kawawa naman ‘yung pulis hindi nag-deploy tapos maraming nangyari,” he added.