Bato’s legacy: I had public trust PNP again

PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. (INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

Bringing the Philippine National Police (PNP) closer to and trusted by the masses.

This, according to PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, is his biggest legacy.

“Ang pinakamalaking legacy na masasabi ko, ayaw ko naman magbuhat ng bangko ‘no, pero naibalik ko ang PNP to the ground, to the masses, na lahat ng tao nagtitiwala na sa pulis,” Dela Rosa told reporters when asked about his biggest legacy in 2017 as the country’s chief cop.

“Nakita nila na ang PNP chief nakikipag-interact sa ordinaryong tao. I can really feel na minamahal kami ng tao,” he added.

He also said his accomplishment and journey as the PNP chief could be likened not to a “roller coaster ride,” but to riding the Anchor’s Away of a known theme park.

“Anchor’s away ang description, hindi roller coaster. Kasi binabagsak ka talaga sa lupa eh,” Dela Rosa jokingly said.

Dela Rosa is set to retire on January 21, 2018, when he turns 56 – the mandatory age of retirement in the uniformed service.

Following the PNP’s return in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs in support of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dela Rosa said they would continue to implement their Oplan Tokhang, Oplan Double Barrel, and their operation against high-value targets.
 

The PNP has yet to craft their command memorandum circular, which would provide guidelines to their drug operations.

“Ganun parin naman ang goal, dapat marami makuhang drug personalities at supply reduction sa drugs na pumapasok sa bansa,” Dela Rosa said.

“We would aim to give the maximum dent that we can give to the drug problem sa Pilipinas,” he added.            /kga