Reportedly sacked for pro-Duterte Facebook posts, Dela Rosa is next PNP chief

DAVAO CITY—Chief Superintendent Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa will be the next chief of the Philippine National Police, incoming president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte indicated on Wednesday.

Dela Rosa, a former chief of police in Davao City, was relieved in early May from his post as chief of the PNP's Reactionary Standaby Support Force after he allegedly showed support Duterte in his Facebook posts ahead of the May 9 elections.

Aside from Dela Rosa, Duterte considered Chief Supt. Ramon "Apol" Apolinario, officer-in-charge of the Mimaropa Region, and Sr. Supt. Rene Aspera, the chief of staff of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group, for the post.

"In all probability he will be," Duterte told GMA News when asked about Dela Rosa's appointment to the PNP's helm.

"Kasi si Aspera... opted to give way. Pero younger si Aspera," Duterte said.

Duterte said Apolinario was retiring ahead of Dela Rosa because of age.

"I think they are classmates pero if you reckon it with age years, the one mauna talaga," Duterte said.

The PNP leadership had explained that Dela Rosa's relief from the RSSF had no connection with his social media posts.

It said that Dela Rosa was supposed to conduct a seminar on non-partisanship for police officers. —NB/JST, GMA News