Bato dela Rosa apologizes for ‘shit happens’ comment

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the weekly Kapihan sa Senado on July 4. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/ CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — The killing of a 3-year-old girl in crossfire during a police antidrug operation was an “unfortunate incident,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Monday as he apologized for saying “shit happens” when he earlier commented on the incident.

Dela Rosa also said he would lead an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the death of Myka Ulpina when he assumes the chairmanship of the Senate’s public order and dangerous drugs committee.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, had drawn flak for saying that while the police did not want to kill civilians during an operation, “shit happens.”

On Monday, Dela Rosa apologized for his “wrong choice of words” and said he meant to say that the incident was “unfortunate.”

“I apologize to the family for [my comment]. It was wrong, I should not have said that. Those words should only be for the police community, not for the public because these were prone to being given a bad meaning,” he said in a television interview.

The girl died in a police raid after her father Renato reportedly used her as a human shield.

Renato and an unidentified suspect reportedly opened fire after recognizing the poseur-buyer as a police officer.

The buyer, Senior Master Sgt. Conrad Cabigao, was also killed in the incident.