Duterte extends Bato’s term as PNP chief anew

For the second time, the President extended the term of Philippine National Chief (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who according to him is “enjoying his trust and confidence.”

During his speech in the induction of new officers of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc. in Malacañang , President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned that the “police has always been a problem.”

“There are scoundrels, scalawag in every organization. That’s why the PNP [chief] now who is supposed to retire on 24^th of April and because he enjoys my trust and confidence, I will extend his term for a little bit longer,” Duterte said.

According to Duterte, “I was reading the state of affairs. I said I would need somebody still to continue with the reforms so General Dela Rosa popularly called Bato, will have an extended term.”

The PNP chief is supposed to have his mandatory retirement last January 21 for turning 56 years old, but it was extended to April 21.

(Read: Bato confirms term extension as PNP chief until April 21)

While the President did not specify how long, a chance interview with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea resulted to information that Dela Rosa’s term will be extended for three more months.

Back in December, Dela Rosa has hinted that Duterte had more plans for him.

(Read: Bato to take the ‘toughest’ gov’t post after retirement)

“Ewan ko, basta sinabihan ako ni Presidente, kung anong pupuntahan ko. Pero napakahirap na trabaho, the most challenging na trabaho sa buong gobyerno (I don’t know but the President told me where I will go. But it is a really difficult job, the most challenging job in the government),” Dela Rosa told the media.

It was later confirmed that this ‘tough job’ refers to the post to lead the Bureau of Corrections.

(Read: Duterte to appoint PNP chief Bato as the next BuCor chief)