Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa expressed his disappointment on Friday with certain members of the House of Representatives who, he claimed, have shifted their stance on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Dela Rosa, who spearheaded the controversial campaign as the former chief of the Philippine National Police, criticized these lawmakers for being “opportunistic,” noting that they once praised the drug war but have now changed their tune under the new administration.
“It saddens me,” Dela Rosa said in a virtual interview. “Before, they were quick to thank us for the peace and order, for keeping the streets safe from drugs. Now, suddenly, we are the villains, and they’re questioning why we conducted the war on drugs.”
Dela Rosa accused these lawmakers of abandoning their principles for political gain. “They prioritize opportunities, whatever those may be,” he added.
Despite his criticism, Dela Rosa clarified that not all members of the House are opportunistic, acknowledging that some remain silent to avoid antagonizing their leadership or the majority bloc.
Dela Rosa’s remarks come amid a House probe investigating alleged links between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the drug war. He dismissed the investigation into EJKs and the drug war as “redundant,” arguing that the same issues have been discussed repeatedly without any charges being filed.
Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte have chosen not to attend the ongoing investigations, which Dela Rosa claims have failed to produce new evidence or results.
The former senator also pointed out that while the POGO issue is distinct, it is being unnecessarily linked to EJKs and the drug war.
Duterte is currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to the drug war, with Dela Rosa and other police officials reportedly implicated in the investigation.