PMA honors outgoing PNP chief ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa

Outgoing Philippine National Police chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa was honored with a testimonial parade at the Philippine Military Academy days before he bids goodbye to the 190,000-strong police force that he led for a year and nine months.

The tough cop responded to the honor by thanking the PMA, which had molded him into what he was today.

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'What a journey it has been.' It all started here in Fort del Pilar and I’m winding up my career here also in Fort del Pilar. Sabi ko, 'Thank you PMA for making me what I am today.' Napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa PMA,” he said.

He also thanked his wife, Nancy, for never leaving his side.

The outgoing PNP chief also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence.

“Above all, I, from the bottom of my heart, my mentor, my second father, my friend, my commander in chief, no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, for his trust and confidence in me, for giving me the biggest break in my career as a police officer,” Dela Rosa said.

“Kung hindi dahil kay President Duterte,  hindi magkakaron ng chief PNP na nanggaling sa Mindanao. I am the first chief PNP from Mindanao.”

Dela Rosa, who belonged to PMA "Sinagtala" Class of 1986, would leave his post as PNP chief on April 19. He was supposed to retire on January 21 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56, but the President had extended his term for 3 months until April 21.

Testimonial honors are given to PMA graduates who has achieved the highest rank in the uniformed services like the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Dela Rosa was sworn in as the 21st chief of the PNP on July 1, while simultaneously being promoted to Director-General, the highest ranking PNP officer.

He is expected to take over the helm of the Bureau of Corrections after his stint at the PNP.

His ‘mistah’, or PMA classmate, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde will succeed him as PNP chief. — DVM, GMA News