Proud Bato attends son’s PNPA incorporation rites

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa was the proud father yesterday when he attended the incorporation rites of his son at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite.

A smiling Dela Rosa waved at his son, 22-year-old Rock, who was among the 332 cadets of PNPA Hinirang Class of 2021 who marched around the parade grounds at the end of the ceremony for their incorporation into the academy.

“I’m so proud of my son. I cannot express my appreciation or fulfillment,” Dela Rosa said in an interview.

He said he would be more elated if his son will survive the rigid training in the next four years and graduate from the PNPA.

Dela Rosa was with his wife Nancy and other members of their family during the event. Unlike in previous public gatherings where he was in police uniform, this time he was dressed in civilian clothes.

People close to Dela Rosa said he wanted to attend the event not as the country’s top cop but as the father of a cadet.

Still, the people’s attention was on the older Dela Rosa and many asked for a selfie with him.

Dela Rosa and his wife hugged their son who joined them for lunch. After giving members of the media photo opportunities, the couple asked for some private time with their son.

The younger Dela Rosa apparently lost weight during his stay at the academy.

Some of his upperclassmen who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is just normal for every cadet like Rock to lose weight.

“They are doing physical exercises like jogging and pushups everyday,” said one of Rock’s upperclassmen.

They said there was no instruction from higher officials to go easy on Rock, being the son of the incumbent PNP chief.

“He is being treated like any other cadet. It has to be that way or he will never learn if we give him special treatment,” another upperclassman of Rock said.