By Aaron Recuenco
It was during a boodle fight that General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa learned about his extension as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and he revealed he almost choked on his food upon hearing it.
“I was really surprised. We were eating at a boodle fight and I was talking about the army uniform and then he (President Duterte) just said: ‘You are extended,’” related Dela Rosa.
According to Dela Rosa, the unfinished business that is the drug menace as with the continued threat of terrorism in the country, are among prime reasons for his extension.
“It’s drugs, terrorism and that includes the NPA (New People’s Army),” said Dela Rosa, adding the president also wants to focus on Mindanao.
“Since I am from Mindanao, the focus must be there because Martial Law is in Mindanao. That’s the reason why,” he added.
Dela Rosa was quick to clarify his extension does not mean the President is not happy with his performance.
“It’s not dissatisfaction. Maybe the President has set higher goals for me to achieve. And thinks that I am yet to achieve it so he decided to let me stay until I reach it,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa is supposed to bow out of police service on January 21 next year.
With the extension, dela Rosa could retire around March next year.
According to news reports, Duterte is already planning to install Dela Rosa as Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief following his retirement.
This is not the first time that a PNP chief’s tour of duty was extended. During the time of President Arroyo, the tour of duty of then PNP chief Edgardo Aglipay was extended to three months.
