The incoming director of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Chief Supt. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, has sought the advice of former President Fidel V. Ramos and Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson, both former police chiefs, on how to manage the 160,000-strong police force.
“Humingi ako ng advice at in fact, marami akong natanggap and hopefully makatutulong ‘yan sa aking pagganap ng aking tungkulin,” Dela Rosa said in an interview at Camp Crame.
Lacson, he said, told him not to be blinded by power and money, while Ramos gave him “technical advice” on how to effectively implement counterinsurgency measures against the New People’s Army and the Moro National Liberation Front.
Dela Rosa, however, said the best piece of advice he received was from outgoing PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, who asked him to be a good father to the entire organization.
“(He told me to) start acting like the father of the PNP organization. Maging ama ka. ‘Yan ang magandang advise sa akin ni General Marquez,” he said.
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte himself tapped the former Davao City police chief to head the PNP as he promised the public that he would suppress drugs and criminality in the country.
Before he assumes his new office in July, Dela Rosa assured the people that he would serve with a clean heart and clear conscience.
“Ang ma-ooffer ko sa taumbayan sa pagpasok ko bilang chief PNP, I come with the clean heart and clear conscience,” he said.