Bato takes over BuCor post today

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa will officially take over today as director general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Dela Rosa said he would attend his first flag-raising rites as new BuCor chief, with high hopes to weed out the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). 

“I am ready to face the challenges at the BuCor and to deliver on my promise to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs at the national penitentiary,” Dela Rosa told The STAR  yesterday.

He vowed to go after convicted drug lords who continue to conduct drug deals inside the NBP.

“Kaya ko ‘yan, bakit ko sila po-problemahin?” he said.

Dela Rosa will replace acting BuCor head Chief Superintendent Valfrie Tabian.

Dela Rosa made a surprise visit at the NBP on Saturday to personally check the condition of the inmates, especially the high-value prisoners being held at Building 14 of the national penitentiary.

“The detention facilities are overcrowded,” he said.

Dela Rosa was replaced by former National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde as PNP chief on April 18.