Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa stated that he does not regret being involved in the controversial war on drugs during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
“Hindi ako nagsisisi. In fact, nagpapasalamat pa ako,” Dela Rosa said during an interview with Karen Davila on ABS-CBN’s Harapan 2025 online program on Friday.
“Wala akong babaguhin. Kaya nga ako naging senador dahil doon sa drug war. Di ba? So, ganun,” he added.
He strongly denied the alleged deaths of thousands during the drug war.
“Sinasabi lang nila yan,” he said.
“Actually, ang official data ay 6,000 plus lang. Kahit na 6,000, marami pa rin yan. ‘di ba? But then again, alam mo, kung hindi mo seryosohin yung war on drugs, walang war na mangyayari. Patuloy ang drugs. Walang war. So, kailangan talagang, alam mo na, seryosohin,” Dela Rosa explained.
Dela Rosa also addressed his controversial statement in 2019, when an anti-illegal drug operation resulted in the death of a 3-year-old. He was quoted saying “shit happens.”
“Talaga naman, shit happens,” Dela Rosa said.
“I am not referring to the child. I am referring to the operation. Iyung operation na pumalpak, na tinamaan yung bata. Hindi ko sinasabing shit ‘yung bata. Shit yung operation. Shit happens,” he added.
Dela Rosa explained that the drug war’s intentions are pure and rooted in concern for the people of the country.
“Alam mo, kung heartless ako, Karen, hindi kami nag-launch ng war on drugs. Kung heartless ako. Kaya namin ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte yun dahil mahal na mahal namin ang kabataan, na maisalba ang kabataan sa problema sa illegal na droga. Kung wala akong pakialam, ano pakialam ko? Chief PNP ako? After that mag-retire ako? May retirement ako? Bakit pa ako papasok sa problema? Dahil iniisip namin ang future generation ng Pilipinas,” he said.
“Kung hindi natin gawin ang war on drugs, magkakaroon tayo ng mga politiko. Balang araw, magkakaroon tayo ng presidente na adik. Pero hindi mo pigilan ‘yan dahil ang droga grabeng kalat ng droga,” Dela Rosa added.
