Dela Rosa to focus on Mindanao security in his extended term

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday disclosed the reason behind his extended term as police chief; President Rodrigo Duterte wanted him to focus on security concerns in Mindanao. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday disclosed the reason behind his extended term as police chief; President Rodrigo Duterte wanted him to focus on security concerns in Mindanao.

Dela Rosa, who is supposed to retire in January 2019, said the Persident wanted him to manage problems on drugs, terrorism, and the New People’s Army threat in Mindanao.

“Since I am from Mindanao, kailangan doon ang focus sa Mindanao kasi andun ang martial law sa Mindanao (the focus should be in Mindanao, because martial law is there) so that’s the reason why inextend tayo,” Dela Rosa told reporters.

Duterte had earlier made a request to the Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2018 to end the threat of terrorism. Congress on Wednesday approved this request, garnering 14-4 votes in the Senate and 226-23 votes in the House of Representatives.

The President also announced on Wednesday that he is extending the term of Dela Rosa as police chief by two-three months and would appoint him as the next chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

In an interview with reporters, the PNP chief said he had only been informed by Duterte about his extension during a boodlefight in Fort Bonifacio.

“Nabilaukan nga ako eh, bakit ako na-extend eh (I chocked when I learned I got extended),” Dela Rosa jested.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, the PNP’s second-in-command, is expected to be Dela Rosa’s successor. However, the Chief Executive remained silent about Dela Rosa’s probable replacement.

The police chief also mentioned about a “goal” that the President ordered him to finish on his extended term.

“Saka ko na sabihin sa inyo pag na-achieve ko na yang goal na yan, pag na-attain ko na ang goal na yan (I’ll tell you once I achieve that goal, once I attain that goal),” the PNP said.