‘Bato’ won’t appoint friends in PNP

MANILA, Philippines – Friends of Chief Superintendent Ronald “Bato”de la Rosa, said to be next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief , will have no edge over other police officials in getting key positions in the police force.

“Not because they are my friends, or they have been good to me or referred to me by some people, they will get key positions in the PNP. That is not the primary consideration,” he said yesterday.

De la Rosa admitted some police officials are lobbying to get key positions under his administration.

He is reportedly the personal choice of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to replace PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, an appointee of outgoing President Aquino.

What De la Rosa requires is “someone who can deliver so we can attain the target (of having a crime-free country) in three to six months.”

De la Rosa revealed he always has visitors in his office as executive officer of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).

He vowed to appoint qualified police officers to the positions where they could contribute to attaining the target of the incoming president.

A member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1986, De la Rosa would virtually bypass PNP officials belonging to PMA Class ‘83, ‘84 and ‘85. Marquez is a graduate of PMA Class ‘82.

De la Rosa said he hoped the senior officers in the PNP will still respect and follow his orders as their PNP chief.

“They shouldn’t get in my way or we will have a fight,” he said. “I expect them to be very cooperative and not give me problems. I know the upperclassmen follow orders.”