By Ellson Quismorio
A nine out of 10.
That's the scintillating rating that two Mindanao congressmen gave to outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who is about to retire.
PNP Chief Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The solons, namely Sulu 2nd district Rep. Munir Arbison and Surigao 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, added that the popular Dela Rosa also made them "proud as his fellow Mindanaoans" as far as his performance as PNP leader was concerned.
"If I will rate it, it's a nine," said Arbison, a vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.
"He introduced reforms in the PNP and minimized drugs and scalawags ," the lawmaker said of the 56-year-old Dela Rosa.
Giving a similar rating was Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
"Given the short time as Chief PNP and huge workload, I would say he fared very well. I'd give him a nine," Barbers said.
Asked to justify his lofty score, the solon pointed to the "improvement of peace and order situation" and "less heinous crimes." He noted that "people now feel safer" during Dela Rosa's two-year tenure.
"However, more action should be taken in the area of drugs," Barbers claimed.