Gen. Bato dela Rosa — career officer, bemedalled policeman
FACED with the daunting task to eradicate crime, the illegal drug menace and corruption in the country, the 21st Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assumed his post on July 1, 2016 with rock-hard determination to succeed in this mission.
Nicknamed “Bato,” a moniker borrowed from Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur where he grew up, Police Director General Ronald Marapon dela Rosa is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986. From his humble beginnings in Davao del Sur, - anao State University in Marawi City.
In 1982, he pursued his dream of becoming a soldier and entered the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated in 1986 and joined the Philippine Constabulary (the forerunner organization of the Philippine National Police) as a young lieutenant. He immediately joined the 11th
Davao provinces and Compostela Valley where he developed his knowledge
“Bato” (a Tagalog term for “rock”) as he came to be known, rose from being a young Chief of Police or Station Commander, to becoming the Battalion Commander of the 11th Regional Special Action Force and later Provincial - ing the nation’s top cop, he held key posts at the PNP Intelligence Group from Human Resource and Doctrine Development until 2016.
He is known for leading the Davao City police in successfully implementing Oplan “Tokhang” or “knock and plead,” where policemen knocked on the doors of suspected illegal drug personalities and criminals and asked them to give up and mend their ways. As he said, if they refused to stop, the police will make them stop. Professing a “zero tolerance” approach to rogues in uniform, particularly those involved in the illegal drug trade, he has also vowed to rid the police organization of scalawags.
Throughout his service, he has always placed a premium on continuing education as an important tool in enhancing his skills and expertise as a Academy’s 221st Session in Virginia and the US Ranger Course in Fort the Air Marshal Instructors Course in Australia; and graduated at the top of his class when he took the Scout Ranger Orientation Course in Tanay, - torate in Development Administration from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.
Cavalier Awardee for Outstanding Performance in Police Operations in 2015, the PNP Achievement Awardee in the Field of Operations (PCO Level) in 2013, and the PNP Senior PCO of the Year for Operations in 2012, among others. In his three decades in the service, he has received numerous medals such as the Medalya ng Kabayanihan or the PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal which is the second highest medal in the PNP, the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod, Medalya ng Kagitingan, Medalya ng Kadakilaan, Medalya ng Kagalingan, Medalya ng Kasanayan, Medalya
ng Papuri, Bronze Cross Medals and Military Merit Medals.
In August 2016, he was given an award for Outstanding Law Enforcement by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) during their 18th Founding Anniversary celebration.
In November 2016, he was the first police general and one of 17 Peace Laureates from different countries to receive the Gusi Peace Prize which recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed to global peace and progress in different fields of endeavor. In the same month, he also received the Vanguard of Peace and Order Award from the Philippine First Investment Council Corporation.
In February 2018, the Indonesian National Police conferred on him the “Bintang Bhayangkara Utama” or Medal of Honor, the highest medal for the Indonesian National Police presented by the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The award
was given in appreciation “for his important role in cooperation and contribution to the security of Indonesia and the Philippines in the past and for the future.”
Living up to his moniker, Bato dela Rosa brought to the PNP his rockhard commitment and resolve to help his mentor and Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte, eradicate crime, the illegal drug problem and corruption in the country.
On April 30, 2018, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the appointment letter of USec Ronald dela Rosa as BuCor’s new Director General and was publicly released on May 3. His marching orders were to curtail the illegal drug activities in the New Bilibid Prison by promoting reformation programs designed for inmates.
- dacy to run for the Philippine Senate in October, dela Rosa resigned from his last appointment, inspired by the President’s work and buoyed by his rock-hard determination to continue serving the Filipino with vital legislation for a better and brighter future for all.