By Martin Sadongdong
As far as outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa is concerned, his 21-month long service as the country's top cop has been flawless.
Despite being involved in a number of controversies, most of which was because of the government's war on drugs, Dela Rosa maintained that he did his "best" in leading the 190,000-strong police organization.
PNP Chief Director Ronald Bato Dela Rosa along with NCRPO Chief Oscar Albayalde (R)
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"Wala naman akong nakita na kasalanan o pagkukulang kasi I did my best (I can't see any mistakes or shortcomings because I did my best)," said Dela Rosa in general when asked if he has committed any mistakes during his service that he wouldn't want the incoming leadership to imitate.
Assuming the top cop post in July 2016, Dela Rosa is set to relinquish his post to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde in a change of command ceremony set on April 19 at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
"I really did my best but if my best wasn't good enough, sorry. That was my best," he said, before belting out a song with similar lyrics.
Dela Rosa explained that all he could give as an advice to Albayalde is to consider all his actions based on his conscience and heart because "that's what I did."
"Lahat ng ginawa ko, diktado ng aking konsensya at diktado ng aking puso. Whether it be mali o tama, I did it with all my heart, I did it with full conviction (Everything that I did was dictated by my conscience and my heart. Whether it be wrong or right, I did it with all my heart, I did it with full conviction," said the 56-year-old general.
He also noted the importance of "loving" and building a good camaraderie among his subordinates so that they will support him no matter what happens.
"Please continue loving your people, your subordinates because they will love you in return," he said.
"May panahon na kailangan saktan kapag umaabuso but most of the time, kapag ang pinapakita mo sa kanila ay pagmamahal, susuklian nila 'yan. By nature man is good, man is kind. Pakitaan mo lang ng magandang pakikitungo, then everything will be fine (There are times that we need to hurt them if they commit mistakes but most of the time, if you show them love, they will return it back to you. By nature man is good, man is kind. Show them kindness, then everything will be fine)," Dela Rosa said.