The country’s former top cop is now officially in charge of watching over the country’s jailbirds.
President Duterte has appointed retired Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as director general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Dela Rosa’s designation was among several appointments announced by Malacañang on Thursday.
Also appointed to a new post was retired Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who is now the administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
The appointment of Dela Rosa and Guerrero came two weeks after they retired from the police and military services.
PMA classes
Dela Rosa is a member of the 1986 Sinagtala class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), while Guerrero belongs to the 1984 Maharlika class.
President Duterte had said as early as December last year that he wanted Dela Rosa to head the BuCor, an agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Dela Rosa earlier said he would ask imprisoned drug lords to swear by the Bible that they would cease their illegal activities.
Guerrero served for six months as AFP chief before retiring on April 18.
He will lead the Marina, an agency under the Department of Transportation, until his term expires on July 11, 2022.
Also appointed to the BuCor as its deputy director was Valfrie Tabian, who had served as its officer in charge since September last year.
Dela Rosa’s ‘mistah’
Tabian is Dela Rosa’s “mistah” (classmate) at the PMA, and was a retired police chief superintendent who previously served as director for Calabarzon.
The President also named six prosecutors under the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ.
These are: Roderick Aquino, associate city prosecutor of San Fernando City, La Union; Wallad Abdani Padate, assistant regional prosecutor of Soccsksargen; Jennifer Angeles Balboa-Cahig, deputy city prosecutor of Baybay City;
Nikki Rose Esperanza, deputy city prosecutor of Bacoor City; Edgar Ambagan, city prosecutor of Tagaytay City; and Ma. Victoria Cabrera, city prosecutor of Dagupan City. — JULIE M. AURELIO