Bato dela Rosa to cops: Reflect if you live up to PNP's 'Serve and Protect' motto

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday urged his men to reflect if they indeed live up to PNP's motto: to serve and protect.

Dela Rosa said police officers should think about how they serve the public as the Catholic faithful observe Holy Week.

"I want you to reflect ngayong Semana Santa: Hindi ba nasayang 'yung pagkamatay ni Hesukristo para sa atin? Hindi ba nakalimutan ang aking motto sa buhay, motto ng PNP to serve and protect? Hindi ba ako naging makasarili?" he said during the flag ceremony.

Dela Rosa added he will be very happy if his men would answer that they were not selfish and they indeed followed the PNP motto.

"Huwag isipin ang sarili. Isipin ang kapakanan ng iba, ng ating bansa. Dapat we have the same answers; kapag hindi, may disconnect 'yan," he said.

He added that his men should always be ready to serve and protect the people at all cost and at all times.

"Always be ready to serve and protect at all times, all cost. Huwag kayo matakot mamatay. Dapat required kayo mag-engage," he said.

The PNP chief also said police officers should always ensure that they will stay alive.

"Walang human rights na magpapakain at magpapaaral sa inyong anak kapag kayo ay namatay. Stay alive and do your job properly. I hope you heed my call to reflect during the Lenten season," he said.

Dela Rosa added that he ordered the fast processing of the promotion of PO3 Joselito Lantano who killed a bus robber last week.

"Hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na bigyang pugay ang pulis na gumagawa ng kabutihan at willing na isugal ang buhay in the name of service," he said.

"Pinabilisan ko na i-promote at bigyan ng award. That's the only way na masuklian ang dedication ng mga tao na andyan sa kalsada na willing magbuwis ng buhay," he added.

Lantano was conferred the Medalya ng Kagitingan and was promoted to P03 on Monday.

Dela Rosa said he knows more police officers are willing to do the same given the opportunity.

"Alam ko karamihan sa atin handang magbigay ng buhay given the opportunity. Alam niyo iyan nasa inyong sinumpaan iyan: to serve and protect," he said. —KG, GMA News