PNP Chief Dela Rosa welcomes new term extension; says he is “willing to serve” Duterte “up to (his) last breath”

PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa speaking in a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. /Mar Gabriel/Eagle News Service/

By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service

Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa on Wednesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement his term as head of the national police force would be extended anew, saying he was “willing to serve” the chief executive “up to (his) last breath.”

“I am a good soldier and will do orders emanating from my boss. I am willing to serve him up to my last breath sa laki ng utang na loob ko sa kanya. Up to my last breath, pwede akong magserbisyo sa kanya,” the PNP chief said.

Dela Rosa noted that he was aware that many were aspiring for his post.

He said, however, that there was nothing he could do since it was the President himself who wanted him to remain there.

“Yung pagiging chief PNP naman, that is destiny, kung hindi talaga para sayo, kahit na mag-insist ka. Kahit anong gawin mong paninira diyan sa naka-puwesto, para lang makuha mo ang puwesto na yan hindi talaga ibigay sayo. Pero kung para sayo, andyan ka lang pero para sayo yan, talagang, mapapasaiyo ang puwesto na yan. Destiny yan, nobody can create destiny, its only God who can create destiny,” he said.

Dela Rosa was supposed to retire as PNP chief on Jan. 21, but the President extended his term until April 21.

It was unclear when Dela Rosa’s new extended term would end.