DELFIN MANALAOTAO ALONZO was a native of Balanga who retired as a police general, the highest rank ever attained by a police officer in Bataan.
General Alonzo was born in Cupang Proper, Balanga on July 30, 1927. He was the son of the late Emilio Leongson Alonzo and Fausta Paguio Manalaotao, a family of modest means. The Japanese Occupation prevented him from pursuing his high school studies. He was already 23 years old when he completed his secondary education at the Arellano Memorial (Bataan) High School.
Initially, he wanted to join the US Navy. But he changed his mind at the last minute and joined the local police instead. Upon the recommendation of erstwhile Balanga Mayor Faustino Vigo (1952-1955), he was accepted into the force as a regular patrolman. In 1961, he was promoted to the rank of police sergeant. In 1969, he was sent to the United Kingdom where he completed his Scotland Yard-sponsored training in General Police Duties at the West Yorkshire Constabulary Training School.
Delfin Alonzo took the opportunity to finish a college degree after the Bataan Community College (now Bataan Peninsula State College, Balanga Campus) opened in Balanga in 1972, He was among the first enrollees and was able to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Management in 1976. He was already a lieutenant colonel in the police force when he completed his Master’s degree in National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1978. He was promoted to the rank of full colonel in 1982.
As police officer, Alonzo held the post of deputy police commander for administration in the former Bataan PC-INP (now Bataan Provincial Police Office) from 1982 until his retirement in 1984. He was also assigned as director for administration (RI) in Camp Olivas, Pampanga. Before his retirement, he was also offered the directorship of the Central Police District (Quezon City and San Juan) as a replacement to the late General Tomas Karingal. He declined the post and simply waited for his retirement date. He passed away in 2010.
New record holder…
Police General Mario Lopez Jr. of Mariveles is currently the highest police officer from Bataan in active service. He is the head of the PNP Internal Affairs and holds office in Camp Crame, Quezon City. He is the son of the late Police Colonel Mario Lopez Sr.
