New Philippine National Police Chief

Image by RTVM 

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte attended the Philippine National Police (PNP) Assumption of Command ceremony of Police Chief Superintendent Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa as the 21st PNP Chief on 1 July 2016 at Camp Crame. The President approved the promotion of Police Chief Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa to Police Director General (4-Star General). The new PNP Chief assumed command after the retirement of PNP Chief, Police Director General Ricardo C Marquez. PNP Chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa is now in command of the 170,000-strong PNP officers.

President Duterte, in his speech, said, “I had the fortunate chance of having good military and police officers,” referring to the members of Davao City’s armed units during his mayoral term. He said he chooses those whom he has closed worked with in the past and the same goes when he selects key law enforcement officials under his administration. He also iterated his promise of raising the salaries of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and providing the necessary tools required to fight crime and criminality.

“I will not run this country with a corrupt police, mag-aaway tayo niyan… Do your duty, I will die for you,” the President said as he closed his speech. ●