'Bato' cites need to support PRRD's anti-crime agenda

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Former Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he decided to foray into politics for one reason: to help President Rodrigo Duterte accomplish his anti-criminality agenda.

Dela Rosa, who spoke before village and multi-sectoral representatives during a drug summit at the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial headquarters here Wednesday, said he is an expert only in the area of law and order and will concentrate on this if he wins a Senate seat.

He was welcomed by several local officials, including Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas and some police officers.

Dela Rosa said he could live well off his PHP14-million retirement benefits, which he could invest in the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (AFPSLAI) but decided to enter politics in order to help President Duterte in his anti-criminality program.

"Si Presidente ay kailangang suportahan. Sayang yung remaining years niya sa pagiging pangulo kung walang senador na susuporta sa kanya (The President needs support.  His remaining years as President would be wasted if there is no senator who will support him), " dela Rosa said, explaining that some of Duterte's programs require legislation.

He noted that he is running against familiar names in Philippine politics.

"Puro po apelyido ng mga dating pangulo ng Pilipinas at si Bato, sino si Bato para makipagtagisan sa kanila (Most of them have surnames of the former Presidents of the Philippines and Bato, who is Bato to clash with them?)" he said.

"Sa ibang area ay mahina ako pero kaya kong ipagmayabang sa inyo I have a clean heart (In other areas, I am weak but what I can brag that I have a clean heart)," dela Rosa said. (PNA)

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