By Martin A. Sadongdong
Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa shed a tear in his final speech as head of the Philippine National Police during the traditional flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday morning.
Dela Rosa, who is set to retire on April 19, thanked his men and said that his 21 months of service as the country’s top cop has been a “roller coaster ride.”
“The last 21 months of the PNP was a roller coaster ride pero more on up bihira ‘yung down. We fall down seven times but we get up eight times,” he said.
In his final press briefing, Dela Rosa also presented the notable gains in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, specifically the “Oplan: High Value Target,” since it was relaunched on Dec. 5, 2017.
He said that as of April 13, 2018, the PNP has arrested 19,086 drug suspects while 207 were killed in 12,032 anti-illegal drugs operations.
Under “Oplan: Tokhang,” which was relaunched on Jan. 29, 2018, 8,081 surrenderers were recorded in 9,566 activities nationwide.
Dela Rosa said the National Capital Region Police Office, headed by incoming PNP chief, Director Oscar Albayalde, topped the list of the best performing police regional offices with 3,620 operations conducted resulting in 7,162 arrests.
The Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO 4-A) was second with 1,837 operations and 2,998 arrests; followed by the Central Luzon (PRO 3) with 1,691 operations and 3,392 arrests; and Central Visayas with 1,428 operations and 2,180 arrests.
Dela Rosa said that he would be leaving the PNP “closer” to the ordinary people.
“Kung paano ko pinalapit ang PNP sa ordinaryong mamamayan, iyan ang gusto kong maiwan na legacy. Ang ordinayong mamayan walang takot na lumapit kahit sa chief PNP, the highest of the PNP. Kung wala silang alinlangan na lumapit sa akin, what more sa mga patrolling police?” Dela Rosa said.
