'BATO' VISITS PH NAVY. Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa poses for a photo opportunity with Navy flag-officer-in-command (left), Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad during his visit to the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila on Monday (August 19, 2019). The senator, who is former Philippine National Police chief and Bureau of Corrections director general, vowed support for the ongoing modernization of the Philippine Navy. (Photo courtesy: Naval Public Affairs Office)
MANILA -- Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has vowed support for the ongoing modernization of the Philippine Navy (PN).
“I’m here to support you (Philippine Navy). Hanggang makaya ng gobyerno, ibigay. Wala naman kayong hihingin na hindi ikabubuti ng ating bansa (So long as the government can provide it, it will. I'm sure you won't ask for anything that will not be for the country's good). You can expect (that I will) support you all the way,” dela Rosa said during his visit to the Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Monday.
The senator also recognized the need for a modernized Navy with the Philippines being an archipelagic nation.
“Ang ating bansa, being archipelagic in nature, talagang kailangan natin ang Navy. And yet, of the three branches of service, ang Navy ang hindi gaanong natutukan (Our country, being archipelagic in nature, really needs the navy. And yet, of the three branches of service, it gets less attention),” he said.
During his visit to the PN headquarters, dela Rosa was accorded military honors. He was warmly welcomed by Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad, and other senior leaders of the naval service.
This was followed by the pinning of the Honorary Flag Rank Command Badge to the senator at the Hall of Flags. Empedrad also thanked the senator for making the PN one of his first stops in his rounds of various government agencies.
He also lauded the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and Bureau of Corrections director general for his contributions to the peace and order of the country and his unwavering concern for the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PNA)
