PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may extend the term of office of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa for "as long as he wants" because a state of national emergency is still in effect, a police official said Thursday, February 22.
Duterte declared the state of national emergency following the Davao City bombing in September 2016 that killed 14 and injured 60.
Rogelio Casurao, National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice-chairman, said Section 26 of Republic Act 6975 allows the President to extend the term of office of the PNP chief "in times of war or other national emergency declared by Congress."
"There is no legal impediment to the extension of chief PNP. Under present conditions, he (Dela Rosa) can be extended, however, the President wants him to serve," Casurao said.
Dela Rosa said he is willing to further extend his service, although he said he would also advise President Duterte that there are younger police officials who are qualified to lead the force.
“As I have said hindi ako makakatanggi sa kanya (I could not say no to the President), but I will also give him my piece of advice na meron naman dyan mga promising na mga officers na pwede pumalit sa akin na mas magaling sa akin yan ay kung bigyan mo ng chance (there are promising officers who could replace me and might even perform better, if given the chance),” he said.
“But in the meantime, sunod lang muna ako sa kanya kasi (I will do as he ordered because) I want him to feel comfortable sa kanyang ginagawa so if he feels comfortable with me around him then with all my heart I am going to be with him and help him do the reforms he wants to institute sa Pilipinas,” he added.
Dela Rosa turned 56, the mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel, on January 21. He should have retired, but he was ordered by Duterte to extend for three more months, or until April 21.
On Tuesday, Duterte again declared that he will ask Dela Rosa to further extend his service.
Dela Rosa said there may be two reasons for his extension: the PNP’s internal cleansing and the government’s war on drugs.
He said their fight against police scalawags is one of their hardest battles.
“One of the (unfinished) businesses is internal cleansing talaga. Alam nya kung gaano ka-problema ‘yung disiplina ng pulis kaya patutukan nya talaga ang internal cleansing and drugs, ganun pa rin, terrorism at insurgency ng mga NPA (New People’s Army). ‘Yun ang mga remaining issues na gusto nya talagang mabigyan ng pansin,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa said he learned about Duterte's order to further extend his term on social media. Duterte personally told him about the extension of his term on Wednesday.
He said he answered the President in the affirmative, but did not have the guts to ask him on how long the extension would be.
“’Yung mga staff na dun na afterwards sa meeting sinabihan nya ako na indefinite pa,” he said.
Earlier, Dela Rosa said he understands that there will be police officials particularly those aspiring to be his successor who will be disappointed.
As much as he wants to step down, Dela Rosa said he could not decline Duterte’s order.
“Well expected yan (may magtatampo) but professionals as they are, alam ko very professional naman itong mga supposed to be na papalit sa akin, they can take and take dahil alam naman that becoming the chief PNP is destiny,” he said.
“Hindi yan nakukuha sa iyong sariling ambisyon. Kahit mag ambisyon ka sirain mo na lahat ng mga katunggali mo sa posisyon na yan o kaya kahit na sirain mo ‘yung nakapwesto nasa taas to pull him down para ikaw ang aangat it can never be,” he added. (VoxPop Philippines)
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