Bato told: Man up, stop hiding behind VP’s skirt

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa should be man enough to spare his former subordinates in the Philippine National Police (PNP) from possible criminal liability by accepting responsibility for the alleged extrajudicial killings during the former Duterte administration.

In raising the challenge, Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop said the former PNP chief should “stop hiding behind Vice President Sara Duterte’s skirt and confront the allegations” regarding his role as chief enforcer of the brutal war on drugs.

Acop, also a retired police general, dismissed as “baseless” Dela Rosa’s claim that the testimony of former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog before the House quad committee was part of a “demolition job” targeting the vice president and her allies ahead of the 2028 elections.

“There’s no demolition job here – only legitimate questions that need clear answers. Sen. Dela Rosa should be man enough to face the facts and take responsibility, instead of hiding behind VP Sara’s skirt,” Acop said.

He added that the hearings aim to uncover the truth behind the extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s drug war as well as their connections to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and the drug trade.

Acop, who chairs the House committee on transportation, said there is no political maneuvering involved, as he emphasized the significance of Mabilog’s testimony in the investigation.

“Mabilog’s testimony is crucial. Our goal is to craft laws that will put an end to these crimes – not to play political games,” he stressed.

Mabilog told officials and members of the House quad committee that he backed out in his scheduled 2017 meeting with Dela Rosa after he was warned by several of his police general-friends that he would be forced to implicate former senators Franklin Drilon and Mar Roxas in illegal drug trade.

Dela Rosa dismissed the House investigation as a “fishing expedition.”

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the committee on human rights, also dismissed Dela Rosa’s claims, saying the investigation is focused on uncovering hidden criminal networks and holding those responsible accountable.

“Senator Dela Rosa’s claims of ‘demolition job’ and ‘fishing expedition’ are far from the truth. Our committee is committed to addressing systemic problems and this investigation is about holding those responsible accountable, not playing politics,” Abante said.

“As legislators, it is our duty to seek justice for the victims of illegal drug operations and expose the syndicates behind them. If we fail to do so, more Filipinos will continue to suffer,” the Manila sixth district congressman added.