‘Bato’ bids PNP farewell

Outgoing Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa became emotional as he presided over his last flagraising ceremony yesterday.

Dela Rosa said he handled PNP matters for more than 20 months to the best of his ability, noting that the public is in the best position to judge whether he has been a good or bad PNP chief.

“Kung ako man ay naging mabuti o masama na ama ng organization is up for you to judge. (Whether I have been a good or bad father of the organization is up for you to judge). I don’t have to brag about it,” said Dela Rosa.

He added that if he failed to measure up to people’s expectations, he asked for their patience.

Dela Rosa also apologized for his shortcomings.

“Yun lang talaga ang kinaya ko. Pasensya na kayo sa isang ordinaryong chief PNP na isang probinsyano. (I could only do so much. I hope you have been patient with an ordinary PNP chief who is a hillbilly),” he said.

At one point during his speech, Dela Rosa’s voice cracked as he turned emotional. He took a deep breath to regain his composure.

As his retirement approaches, Dela Rosa confessed that he wanted to stretch the days so he could stay in the police service.

“Yan pala talaga feeling mo if you really love your job. (That’s how you feel when you really love your job),” he said. “Ganoon ko kamahal ang ating uniform. (That’s how much I love our uniform).”

Dela Rosa is set to turn over command of the PNP to Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office chief, on Thursday.

Albayalde described Dela Rosa as “beloved” by the public.

“How do you follow an act like Ronald dela Rosa?” he said. “I may not be able to fill his big shoes, but I can assure the public that I’ll do my best to equal or exceed his performance.”

Albayalde said he does not see any change in the way he would lead the PNP as compared with Dela Rosa’s leadership. The two men were classmates in the Philippine Military Academy Class 1986.