By Gabriel Ortigoza
Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, chief of Philippine National Police and so far, the most popular general of the Philippines today, was the guest of honor at Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco Friday evening.
Philippine Center Kalayaan Hall was filled up with several Filipino-American civic organizations. Bay Area Fil-Am police officers came and look snappy on their uniform.
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| Handling my book on leadership to Philippines National Police's Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. |
Former mayor now Daly City council member Glenn Sylvester presented a plaque containing city ordinance which designates December 8th as General Ronald Dela Rosa Day.
On his acceptance speech, Gen. Dela Rosa thanked Glenn Sylvester and the city of Daly, which has about 30% Fil-Am population, for the recognition. The general offered his invitation for Glenn to visit the Philippines and he told the council member that he will direct the PNP to declare everyday as Glenn Sylvester Day.
Gen. Bato updated the Fil-Am organizations on the purpose of his US trip to Washington DC and the status of Philippine government’s war on drugs.
The general hinted drug lords and drug addicts are salivating for his mandatory retirement when he reached the age of 56 on January 21, 2018.
Photo-op followed after his speech. Everybody in the hall wanted to take photo with this famous and very accommodating general.
I had the chance to talk with Gen. Bato and gave him a copy of the book on leadership I authored and published; by the way, my book is available online. Just search leadership and type my name.
One of Gen. Bato’s bucket list while in San Francisco was to visit the famous Alcatraz Penitentiary. His wish materialized.
Gen. Bato said he will assume as director of the country's Bureau of Correction after he bowed out of PNP.
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| PHOTO - OP with Daly City former mayor now council member Glenn Sylvester, a Filipino-American, and wife. |
He and his team visited factory outlet in Livermore on Saturday, December 9th. While at the outlet he was swarmed by Fil-Am for photo op, selfies, and autograph. The supposed short stop at the outlet lasted five hours.
He also met Bay Area Fil-Am bikers’ association on the same day.
In the evening, my wife and I joined Gen. Bato and Philippine Military Alumni Association (PMAAA) Northern California for a dinner in Vallejo. Gen. Bato belongs to PMA class 86.
The Saturday dinner with Gen. Bato and PMAAA was more relaxed. Unlike at the Philippine Consulate, he was able to sit down and ate his favorite food and imbibed his favorite drink while conversing with his fellow alumni and their spouses.
Cav. Ador Raga was the most vocal among the cavalier. Cav. Gerry Parinas took care of the bar as mixologist and offered Gen. Bato his specialty blue label.
The most senior cavalier present was Cav. Irwin Ver (PMA 70) and the most junior alumnus was PSSupt Eric Noble (PMA 92).
In his evening message, he talked on his plans for the PNP, peace and order situation, and the government’s war on drugs.
He also mentioned he cannot please everybody in the PNP. As member of PMA class 86, he bypassed class 82, 83,, 84, and 85. He understood their feelings but what can he do he was appointed by the president. However, he calls his upperclassmen sir. Even during PNP higher echelon conference he addressed them sirs.
Gen. Bato also announced the forthcoming promotion of his senior aide PSSupt Rhodel Sermonia (PMA 89) to Chief Superintendent, a star rank.
Shout out to PSSupt Eric Noble and Cav. Ador Raga (PMA 91) for inviting me and my wife to join Gen. Bato for a dinner on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Thanks also to Cav. Gerry Parinas (PMA 91) for the ride from Sacramento to Vallejo and vice versa.
There is a great possibility that Gen. Bato will participate in the senate race comes May 2019 election. Due to his popularity, he is not worried to win the election. The expectation is for him to top the 2019 senatorial election
(gabbyortig@yahoo.com).
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