MANILA - How many criminals has incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa killed?

Dela Rosa seemed stumped by the question during a radio DZMM interview Friday, saying only his priest knows the answer.

"Ang sinasabihan ko lang pari, kapag nangumpisal. After ako makapatay, nangungumpisal ako sa pari," he said.

He also revealed that he sometimes weeps in church when he is asking for forgiveness from God. "I am no cold-blooded killer," he said.

Dela Rosa said that when he first graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, he was very eager to prove his worth in the field with no regard for his own personal safety.

A former Davao police chief, dela Rosa has held various positions in the PNP Intelligence Group from October 2013 to November 2015.

Finishing his assignments and bagging the bad guys, he said, does not mean he has forgotten the cost of the job.

"Mari-realize mo na yung bala na tumama sa kasama mo, kung tumama sa iyo ay patay ka rin. Kung mag survive ka sa engkwentro, masayang masaya ka. Malungkot ka na may namatay na kasamahan mo. Masaya ka na binuhay ka pa ni Lord," he said.

The incoming PNP chief admitted he also had sleepless nights after killing suspects in several hostage situations.

"Matagal mawala sa isipan ko yun. Mga sleepless nights kaya ako pumunta sa simbahan. (Ngayon), wala. Ang sleepless nights ko yung mga tumatawag na media kahit anong oras tumatawag sa cellphone ko."