Rosales takes over MPD

Chief Superintendent Roberto “Boysie” Rosales finally took over the Manila Police District (MPD) in a simple but well-attended turnover ceremony yesterday morning, with his “mistahs” from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) coming over for the occasion.

“Leading the gallant ranks of Manila’s Finest is both a privilege and a gargantuan task. And so with utmost humility, honor and a great sense of duty, today, I am accepting this responsibility,” Rosales said in his speech after accepting the MPD flag from outgoing chief Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa.

Rosales also laid out his six-point agenda: wage a relentless fight against illegal drug syndicates, eradicate gang wars and monitor the activities of fraternities in the city’s school campuses, eliminate opportunities to commit street crimes, assure an orderly and peaceful holding of rallies, strengthen police-community relations, and uphold and maintain discipline among the members of the MPD.

He also stressed that he wants his policemen to be properly groomed, in decent uniform, and if possible, “to be always smiling.”

“I want my policemen to command respect and authority. People would hesitate to approach frowning policemen. It would seem easy to ask assistance from a smiling policeman,” Rosales told The STAR.

When asked whether he has regrets that his designation as MPD chief had been called off several times in the past, the 51-year-old Manileño said, “(the past withdrawal of my assumption to the post) is not a mistake. It is a blessing.”  

Rosales was first rumored to take over the MPD from former chief Gen. Pedro Bulaong upon his retirement in August last year. It was Abarzosa who got the coveted post. Last July, Rosales was again rumored to assume the MPD command, but Lim reportedly rejected him.

After a simple luncheon with his guests and friends, Rosales went on to inspect the offices at the MPD headquarters.

“Fix your office. Be in uniform,” Rosales was overheard ordering the section chiefs and their respective staff.

Rosales also vowed to bring back the glory of the Manila’s Finest as his legacy.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who attended the turnover ceremony, ordered the MPD to run after “cop killers” who remain unpunished.

“These cop killers, just like drug pushers, can drop dead. I don’t care,” he said.

Lim said that when he headed the MPD – then called the Western Police District – from 1986 to 1989, he would order the entire police force to drop all cases and run after those who killed a policeman.

He said this was also the practice in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.

Lim cited the case of Sta. Mesa station chief Senior Superintendent Manolo Martinez, whose killers have been at large since he was shot dead outside his office three years ago.

Martinez’s death is a “supreme insult” to the police force, according to Lim. However, he warned MPD policemen against arresting “fall guys” and planting evidence to frame innocent people.   – Nestor Etolle, Evelyn Macairan