Bato on drug war: No regrets, will do it again

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has no regrets implementing the bloody war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying he would “do it again” if given a chance as he expressed willingness to participate in the Senate’s inquiry on Monday.

“No regrets. If you are going to give me the chance to do it again, I will do it again. The same approach,” Dela Rosa said in a phone interview with reporters yesterday.

Dela Rosa, who with Duterte faces an investigation by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity, said the government could not win a drug war by being “cute.”

“You can’t fight a war, especially against the drug personalities, by being decent, by being cute. No way you can win the battle… To win the war, you have to be forceful enough to send your message down the spine of these criminals,” he added.

Dela Rosa renewed his willingness to face the Senate Blue Ribbon investigation on Oct. 28.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel is tasked to lead the Senate’s own investigation parallel to the House of Representatives quad committee investigation on rights abuses of the previous administration’s narcotics crackdown.

Asked if he would take it against them if his fellow senators interpellate him, Dela Rosa said he “won’t feel offended, because of the need to ferret out the truth.”

He added that he would be willing to answer questions from his colleagues about the drug war following claims by retired police colonel Royina Garma on the bounty system for police officers who killed drug suspects.

“I am open to questions from my colleagues as a resource person. I am opening up myself to be questioned, to be interpellated by my colleagues,” Dela Rosa said.

Pimentel said he heard about former president Duterte having “second thoughts” in attending the Blue Ribbon committee hearing, but Dela Rosa gave assurance that the former chief executive is still willing to attend despite health concerns.

Pimentel added that Dela Rosa as a former police chief “has no choice but to share with the committee his experiences under the drug war.” –  Edith Regalado