Sen. Bato dela Rosa “No Regrets” in being Part of Duterte Drug War
BATO DELA ROSA – The lawmaker who was the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief amid the height of the Duterte drug war stressed that force was needed in the campaign.
The war on drugs was undeniably the most popular campaign of the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. However, the said campaign is also surrounded by issues and accusations.
There are allegations that the drug war of the previous administration was implemented allegedly through a rewards system. Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte denied that he gave monetary rewards to cops in the drug war of his administration.
According to former Pres. Duterte, the police is not into monetary rewards so, instead, he would show his appreciation to the fulfillment of their missions by treating them with food and drinks. Amid the many questions over the previous admin’s campaign, the allies of the former Chief Executive have continually defended him.
Senator Bato Dela Rosa who was the PNP chief during Duterte’s term is also faced with accusations over the war on drugs of the previous administration. The PNP was the frontliner in the implementation of the said campaign.
Recently, amid the allegations, Sen. Dela Rosa expressed a desire to launch a war on drugs probe in the Senate and invite Duterte as one of the resource persons. The said intention earned criticisms from the public and some known personalities like former Sen. Leila de Lima.
De Lima who is a staunch critic of Duterte’s drug war stressed that it would be funny since Dela Rosa is also one of the accused. The former Senator is inclined to file a case against Dela Rosa after self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa claimed that Dela Rosa forced him to implicate De Lima in the case.
The Senate probe on the war on drugs will be presided by Sen. Koko Pimentel. Ahead of the investigation, Sen. Bato dela Rosa stressed that he has no regrets in being part of the Duterte drug war. Based on a report on GMA News, the former PNP Chief also said that he will do it again in the same approach if given the chance.
Dela Rosa also stressed that force is allegedly needed in fighting the war against drugs. Based on the report, he expressed that being forceful is needed to bring the message to those who are committing the crime.
“You can’t fight a war, especially against the drug personalities, by being disente, by being pa-cute-cute. No way you can win the battle, win the war,” he said.
Based on the report, Sen. Bato dela Rosa also stressed that he will not use his power as a member of the committee in the probe but he will establish the “truth”. He stressed that he knows the truth and other people cannot make up stories against him.
“I know the truth, kaya hindi nila ako pwedeng gawan-gawan ng istorya na kung ano-anong alegasyon na sinasabi nila,” the Senator said.
Aside from Dela Rosa, another Duterte ally who defends the former President against the accusations is Sen. Bong Go. Amid the accusations, Sen. Bong Go recalled how the war on drugs of Pres. Duterte has allegedly impressed the people.