FILE PHOTO: Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa cites in contempt Eric Santiago, a former National Police Commission (Napolcom) employee, for allegedly telling a lie before the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing. Dela Rosa presided on Monday, May 20, 2024, the fourth committee hearing in a bid to ferret out the truth on the alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaked documents. Dela Rosa said the Filipinos deserve the truth because the challenge of serving the government is not to abuse the entrusted power, and not to fall short on the expected services for the people. “Since we first heard about the PDEA leaks, your committee has tried to stay focused on its goal, that is to find out why there are allegedly confidential documents that were smuggled from the PDEA’s case file folders and how to prevent it from happening again by drafting laws. No more, no less,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino. “Thank you very much and let’s pray that in our hearing today, the excessive division in the opinion of our countrymen will be reduced and the deficiencies in the policy will be filled,” he added. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bato dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration, admitted that the brutal “drug war” campaign they initiated was marred with human rights violations.
However, he insisted that investigations of such violations should be done separately.
“Hindi ko sinabi na walang nangyayaring human rights violation during war on drugs. Aminado tayo dyan na merong mga kaso na talagang naviolate yung right ng tao,” dela Rosa said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.
(I did not say that there were no human rights violations during the war on drugs. I admit that there are cases where people’s rights were violated.)
“Kasi kung wala, eh ‘di dapat hindi na kakasuhan ‘yung mga pulis na gumawa ng kalokohan. Kasi kung wala, eh ‘di dapat walang pulis na na-convict o nakulong. So meron talaga, kaya dapat imbestigahan individually bawat kaso,” he added.
(If there were none, then police who committed wrongdoings shouldn’t have been charged with cases, convicted, or jailed. So there are rights violations; that’s why we need to investigate each case individually.)
READ: Dela Rosa airs view on ICC’s reported talks with cops on ‘drug war’
Dela Rosa likewise argued that even if rights abuses were present during the conduct of the anti-drug drive, the hands of then-President Rodrigo Duterte are clean.
He denied allegations that Duterte ordered to impose brutality on suspects.
“Wala. Walang gagong leader na mag utos na gumawa kayo ng violation sa batas. Walang gagong leader na mag uutos ng ganon. At saka walang gagong pulis, unless of course may sariling motive ‘yung pulis na nasa isip niya – personal niya yun,” dela Rosa said.
(None. No foolish leader would order his people to violate the law. No foolish leader would order something like that. There’s also no foolish policeman, unless of course he has his own motive in his mind – that’s his personal action.)
READ: ICC junks PH plea to stop probe into deaths linked to ‘drug war’
Dela Rosa, who was tagged as chief implementer of Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs, likewise insisted that drug war complaints do not have to be elevated before the International Criminal Court (ICC) because the country’s justice system is functioning.
According to him, people who are bringing back the drug war probe only intend to “pin down” Duterte and his allies.
Duterte and dela Rosa are among individuals accused of crimes against humanity before the ICC.
Dela Rosa earlier admitted feeling “a little” worried about the ICC investigation on the drug war killings in the country.
