Dela Rosa thanks cops on his last flag raising ceremony

Facing the police force in his last flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 16, outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa thanked his men for all their efforts and support during his 21-month term. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Facing the police force in his last flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 16, outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa thanked his men for all their efforts and support during his 21-month term.

“Nandito ako ngayon sa harapan ninyo (I’m here in front of you) not to brag what about what I have done or what I failed to do. Nandito lang ako sa harapan ninyo ngayon bilang inyong ama ng Philippine National Police para magbigay lang ng pasasalamat, iyong taos-pusong pasasalamat ko sa inyong ginawa during my term (I’m only here in front you now as your father of the PNP to give you thanks, my heartfelt gratitude for all you have done during my term),” dela Rosa said in a speech at the National Headquarters Building in Camp Crame.

As he nears his retirement, the emotional PNP chief said that he suddenly wanted time to slow down.

“Ganon pala ang feeling ‘non (That’s how it feels) if you really love your job, if you really love your job pakiramdam mo gusto mo forever eh (you feel like you want it forever). Kaya sabi ko akin mga aide-de-camp kahit saan tayo magpunta mag-uuniporme na ako dahil ganon ko kamahal ang uniform natin (So I told my aide-de-camp, I will wear my uniform anywhere we go because that’s how much I love our uniform),” he explained.

Dela Rosa recalled that he was excited months before his retirement, however, his term was extended for three months.  He added that there was an “extension for indefinite term” but according to him this will not push through so he has to retire.

He further thanked the 180,000-strong policemen for being able to handle demoralizing criticisms well.

“Salamat sa inyong magaan na pagha-handle ng criticism, although nade-demoralize kayo (Thank you for handling criticisms well, although you were being demoralized) …It’s part of the job,” he said.

While expressing his gratitude to his men, he also apologized to them if he was not able to meet their expectations.

“Kung ako man ay naging mabuti o masamang ama ng (If I had been a good or a bad father to the) organization I don’t have to brag about it kayo na ang humusga (you be the judge). Kung merong pagkukulang, pasensya na kayo; ‘yun lang ang inabot ng aking kakayanan (If there were shortcomings, I’m sorry; it was all that I could do),” dela Rosa explained.

The top cop noted that he did everything he could as their leader.

“Kung hindi ko inabot iyong level ng expectation ninyo I am very sorry ‘yun lang talaga ang nakaya ng isang chief PNP na probinsiyano. Uulit-ulitin ko man (If I was not able to reach your expectation, I am very sorry; that was all a PNP chief who came from the province can do. But I would like to repeat), I’m very proud to be your chief PNP,” he added.

Dela Rosa, who led President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, is set to leave his post on April 19, Thursday.

The PNP chief will turn over his position to outgoing National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regional director Oscar Albayalde who is also his batchmate in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986.