MANGALDAN, Pangasinan — Reelectionist Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa strongly denied claims by rights groups that the Duterte administration’s drug war led to around 30,000 deaths, calling the figure “fake news” during the PDP-Laban grand rally in Pangasinan.
Dela Rosa, who led the campaign as former PNP chief, asserted that government records show about 6,200 deaths linked to anti-drug operations. He also expressed sorrow over continued international scrutiny of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who now faces crimes against humanity investigations.
“We all felt hurt when they tried to drag President Duterte abroad to answer accusations,” he told supporters.
Acknowledging isolated cases of police abuses, Dela Rosa insisted they were dealt with properly and argued that critics pushing for international intervention have political motives aimed at seizing power.
He emphasized that Duterte’s drug war was launched to save the country’s youth, not for personal gain, warning that drug lords had already begun influencing local politics before the crackdown.
Meanwhile, singer and lawyer Jimmy Bondoc questioned the sustainability of the P20-per-kilo rice program recently rolled out in the Visayas, citing lack of agricultural investment and modernization. Bondoc said real economic growth takes time and criticized the current administration for lacking support for Filipino farmers.
In the same rally, PDP-Laban senatorial candidates proposed major reforms:
- Jayvee Hinlo plans to introduce school subjects covering illegal drugs and prison life to discourage crime among youth.
- Dr. Richard Mata called for urgent healthcare reforms, citing Brazil’s free hospitalizations as a model and pushing for more efficient use of public health funds.
- Rodante Marcoleta and Raul Lambino defended Vice President Sara Duterte against confidential fund investigations, labeling them political harassment aimed at eventual impeachment.
The PDP-Laban slate urged voters to back their candidates, promising greater public service and stronger national development.