Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa defended on Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte’s selection of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Dir. Oscar Albayalde as the next national police chief despite having not been assigned in Davao.
Albayalde said Dela Rosa, has merited the promotion because of his hard work in the campaign against illegal drugs and with the PNP’s internal cleansing efforts, noting that being assigned in Davao is not a qualification for the President.
“Hindi naman ganon kasarado and utak ni Presidente na porket hindi ka taga-Davao hindi ka qualified. By merits yan, e nakita ni Presidente na nagtratrabaho ito, ito talaga ang lumalaban sa ating kampanya, then siya na,” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
(The President is not that close-minded that he would disqualify you if are not from Davao. It’s based on merits,the President saw that this man was working hard, he went out to implement our campaign. He’s the one.)
“Kaya ako, kahit taga Davao ako tapos balatuba ako na opisyal, gawin kaya ako ni President na chief PNP?” he added.
(If I were from Davao but a crooked official, do you think the President would make me the chief PNP?)
President Rodrigo Duterte named Albayalde on Thursday as the next PNP chief because of his strictness, noting the “stricter [leader], the better.”
Albayalde would be leading the PNP amid efforts to cleanse its ranks from rogue and erring policemen.
He is known for enforcing strict discipline among his men. Early this year, he had been inspecting police stations to check on policemen sleeping on their posts.
READ: Duterte says Albayalde will be next PNP chief
Dela Rosa maintained his support for Albayalde, whom he described as “palaban” or a fighter and hardworking.
He said his endorsement of Albayalde was not the deciding factor in the President’s selection. Dela Rosa and Albayalde belong to the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.
“Actually sa totoo lang, kahit na hindi si Albayalde i-endorse ko, iba ang i-endorse ko pero si Albayalde ang napusuan ni Presidente, si Albayalde talaga i-appoint ni Presidente, hindi naman nagma-matter ang endorsement ko, nakadagdag lang,” he said.
(Actually, even if I did not endorse Albayalde, but the President has chosen him, he would really be appointed by the President. My endorsement did not matter, it only boosted the chance of his appointment.) /muf