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Bato dela Rosa says he's a Rizal descendant, inherited hero's love for country, courage


CALAMBA, Laguna - Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa expressed belief Monday that his courage and love for country came from national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, whom he claimed as his ancestor.

In an interview after the program for the 156th birth anniversary of Rizal where he was a guest of honor and speaker, Dela Rosa said one of the grandmothers of the national hero is Inez dela Rosa.

 

 

"Kung mag-research ka, makita niyo sa kanilang family tree, sa mother side na meron doong nakalagay, isa sa mga lola niya Inez dela Rosa kaya 'yun ang kina-capitalize ko na kine-claim ko na descendant ako ni Jose Rizal," he said.

He said he had claimed it since high school when he saw the family tree during their field trip at Rizal's house in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

"Nakita ko sa bahay ni Rizal, sa records doon na merong family tree doon na may Inez dela Rosa kaya magmula noon, nu'ng may buhok pa ako, pilit ko nang ginagaya 'yung kanyang hawi ng buhok," he said.

"Lahat naman tayong Filipino very proud of our national hero lalong lalo na nagkataon na descendant siya ng isang Dela Rosa kaya kine-claim ko na rin na relative ko siya. So I'm very proud of that. Pinagmamayabang ko 'yan," he added.

Asked what quality of Rizal he also possesses, Dela Rosa said love for the country.

"Siguro I can proudly say 'yung pagmamahal sa bayan. Mahal na mahal ko ang bayang Pilipinas na I'm willing to die for this country. So siguro 'yun ang namana ko sa aking ninuno," he said.

He said their means may be different but the end they want to achieve is the same.

"Hindi naman tayo kasing talino ni Rizal. 'Yung pagmamahal naman maraming mode of translation into action. 'Yung pagmamahal sa bayan kung matalino ka gamitin mo ang utak mo. Ako hindi naman kasing talino ni Rizal, pero baka kasing tapang kaya 'yung tapang ko na lang ang ginagamit ko saka 'yung aking lakas para mapatahimik itong bansang Pilipinas," he said.

"Kung kulang ako sa talino, d'un ko kino-contribute sa tapang, malasakit, pagmamahal sa ating bayan," he added.

Dela Rosa further said that if he would have his way, he would choose a peaceful means as what Rizal had espoused.

"Walang gustong pumatay sa kapwa Filipino. Regardless kung terorista, rebelde, drug personality, hindi po madali ang pagpatay sa kapwa Filipino. Mas maganda sana kung walang dahas," he said. —KG, GMA News

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