Bato to groups tagged in disappearance of minors: Appear in Senate probe  

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa wants leftists groups tagged as behind the disappearance of some student-activists to appear in the Senate and explain themselves in the next hearing.

“Sana for the second time around ng hearing, makakarating rin yung tauhan ng  maka-kaliwa, ano?” Dela Rosa said in an interview over radio station DWIZ on Saturday.

“Para marinig ng taumbayan yung kanilang side, napakabigat na issue na ito dahil kung ayaw nila lumantad, ayaw nila sumagot ng harap-harapan sa parents, lumalabas talaga na naglolokahan tayo nito,” he added.

Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Committee on public order and dangerous drugs, presided over the hearing concerning the missing minors who were reportedly recruited by leftists organizations.

Some mothers turned emotional at the Senate investigation on Wednesday, were they narrated how their children left home to join groups such as Anakbayan.

READ: Mothers of minors recruited by leftist groups turn emotional at Senate probe

During the hearing, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) revealed that they have lodged kidnapping and other complaints against Anakbayan leaders. However, Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago slammed the complaints as it was aimed to “harass” and “silence” progressive youth groups.

READ: Elago: Complaint vs Anakbayan meant to ‘harass, silence’ progressives

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said that the committee hearing will resume Wednesday, Aug. 14. /jpv