‘Because of scoundrels, scalawags’, Duterte extends Bato’s term anew

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he would extend anew the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

“There are scoundrels, scalawags in every organization. And that is why the PNP [chief] now who’s supposed to retire on the 24th of April and because he enjoys my trust and confidence, I will extend his term for a little bit longer,” Duterte said in a speech before Indian businessmen in Malacañang, citing the need to continue the reforms in the national police agency.

GMA News' Mariz Umali reports that Dela Rosa will continue to serve President Duterte.

"I am willing to serve under PRRD even up to my last breath. His brand of leadership inspires everyone to serve with candor," Dela Rosa was quoted as saying.

CPNP Ronald Bato dela Rosa’s reax on his yet another extension as CPNP —

I am willing to serve under PRRD even up to my last breath. His brand of leadership inspires everyone to serve with candor. pic.twitter.com/DiWjjFvbtw

— Mariz Umali (@marizumali) February 20, 2018

Dela Rosa was supposed to leave his post on January 21 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 but the President told him to stay for two or three months.

If it were up to him, Dela Rosa said that he would no longer accept further extension but conceded he would have to follow whatever the President wants.

After his PNP stint, Dela Rosa is set to lead the Bureau of Corrections, which supervises the country’s penal colonies including the New Bilibid Prison. —NB/BAP, GMA News