Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and Sen. Bato dela Rosa denied knowing about the “Davao model” and reward system for police officers mentioned by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma in connection with the war on drugs during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa said that he did not engage in a reward system while PNP director due to the lack of funds.
The only reward system he acknowledged was the approved list of most wanted persons from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). He emphasized that he did not believe in such a system because it is the sworn duty of every policeman to keep their area free from drugs.
Dela Rosa said only Garma, a retired police colonel, can answer and he can’t speculate: “I have no idea.”
At a House hearing, Garma confirmed the “Davao Model” for the drug war during Duterte’s presidency. The model involved three levels of payments or rewards, including a reward if the suspect is killed, funding of planned operations, and refund of operational expenses.
Garma also mentioned that Duterte approached her regarding the implementation of the “Davao Model” on a national scale during his administration. She and Duterte were acquainted during her tenure as Station Commander in a police station in Davao.
In the same hearing, alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa accused Dela Rosa of pressuring him in 2016 to implicate high-profile individuals in the illegal drug trade. Dela Rosa refuted the claim, calling Espinosa a liar and expressing disbelief at his change in behavior, referring to him as a drug lord.
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