PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa expressed hope on Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte will let him retire after he has finished his three-month term extension.
“Sana naman huwag na... Kung sa akin sana magpahinga na ako,” he said when asked if he still wants another term extension.
Dela Rosa was supposed to retire on Monday, January 21, as he reached the mandatory retirement age for a police officer.
He said Duterte had told him that from PNP, his next post will be as the chief of the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor).
However, earlier, Duterte ordered Dela Rosa to serve for three more months.
Dela Rosa said he feels sad but at the same time happy with his term extension.
“Sad in the sense na may mga plano na kami ni misis at mga anak ko dahil alam mo ‘yung mga bata limited ‘yung panahon sa atin, may mga sariling lakad na yan so pinlano namin ng husto na after this ganito ang gawin natin. Ako may personal rin ako na sana after January 21, 2018 I have all the time in my life na magbalik ako sa gym magwork out, ‘yung health papangalangaan ko,” he said.
“But ito happy in the sense na ‘yung tiwala ng presidente ay nandyan pa rin sa akin at ang mas happy ako talaga makadagdag ako ng serbisyo. Hindi man ako nagmamayabang na magaling ang serbisyo ko pero kung ano man maibigay ko na serbisyo sa remaining days of my life para sa taumbayan ay magawa ko,” he added.
Dela Rosa said after he stepped off from the police service and before he embarks to his new post as at the Bucor, he wanted to go on a short vacation to their province and live again the simple life he has before.
With regards to his suppose “political aspirations” Dela Rosa said he is open to any possibilities.
“Well sa totoo lang ako naman open ako sa lahat but sa ngayon hindi ko iniisip yan dahil focus muna ako sa aking three- month extension at saka after this mag Bucor pa ako,” he said.
“Anything can happen pero mas gusto ko 'yung local siguro. Mas direkta 'yung tulong mo at saka 'yung serbisyo mo sa iyong mga kababayan diretso,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)