Bato admits remarks on death squad, killings can be used vs Duterte

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's admissions during the Senate drug war probe, which included his having a "death squad" composed of "gangsters," could be used against him, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa acknowledged Wednesday.  

In a press briefing Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of Duterte, said it is up to the former president to defend himself against possible cases that may be filed against him.

"Puwedeng magamit 'yan against him, lalong-lalo na under oath siya, nagsalita siya roon. Depende na sa kanya how is he going to defend himself," said Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during the Duterte presidency.

(That can be used against him, especially since he made it under oath. It depends upon him on how he will defend himself.)

Dela Rosa also said that Duterte himself had even urged relevant agencies to probe him and, if necessary, file cases.

During the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee last Monday, Duterte said he is puzzled that the Department of Justice has yet to file a case against him in connection with the killings he has claimed.

It was also during the same hearing that Duterte said he ordered police officials to "encourage" criminals to resist so they could justify killing them.

Asked if he would advise Duterte to watch his words in the future, Dela Rosa said the former leader can very well think and speak for himself.

"That's how he speaks. After six years of presidency niya, talagang ganun naman talaga ‘yung ugali niya. Nobody can control him, kahit na sabihan mo yan,” dela Rosa said.

(After six years of him being President, he has always been that way, even if you caution him.)

"So mahirap, mahirap ma-advise-an siya because may sarili siyang desisyon," he added.

(It is difficult to give him advice because he makes decisions on his own.)

Duterte and other top officials of his administration are already being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the alleged commission of crimes against humanity for the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations during his tenure.

These deaths reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups contend it could be as many as 30,000, including vigilante killings inspired by the drug war.

‘Shit happens’ a remark on isolated case

Also on Wednesday, Dela Rosa said that his controversial "shit happens" comment only referred to one incident, and did not refer to all cases in which children were killed in police anti-drug operations during the Duterte administration.

He was responding to the comment of Karapatan Secretary General Tinay Palabay that 122 children were killed in the anti-drug operations during the Duterte administration when dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police (PNP) 

Three-year-old Myca Ulpina was shot dead in a police operation in July 2019. The police said they were targeting the child's father Renato Ulpina and another drug suspect, and alleged that the elder Ulpina used his child as a human shield. The Ulpina family and and a witness denied this. Asked about the child's death, Dela Rosa said, "Shit happens."

“I was referring to that particular incident na may bata na nadamay doon sa anti-drug operation na nangyari kasi sabi ko nga, police operations are not...it’s not a controlled environment. You can hardly perform a perfect operation na walang madamay. Meron sometimes, sabi ko, sometimes shit happens. Kaya nangyari yun, referring to that particular incident,” dela Rosa said.

(As I said, police operations are not...it’s not a controlled environment. You can hardly perform a perfect operation with nobody affected. Sometimes, as I said, sometimes shit happens. That's why that happened, referring to that particular incident.)

“Pero hindi ko sinasabi na [doon] ‘yung sinabi niya 120. Masyado naman bloated ang data. One hundred and twenty na bata, namatay? Nadisgrasya? One hundred and twenty na bata namatay sa war on drugs na disgrasya? Tapos sasabihin nila, i-connect doon sa aking 'shit happens'?” dela Rosa said.

(But I did not say that regarding what she was referring to, 120 children. The data is bloated. One hundred and twenty children, dead by accident in the war on drugs? And they connect it to my 'shit happens' comment?)

“If you have data, if you have evidence, file a case. I am one with you in seeking justice for these victims,” he added.

Dela Rosa also said that he and Senator Bong Go, both close allies of the former president, will continue to participate in the Senate probe into Duterte's drug war in the name of truth.

“Sabi nila, walang delikadeza. Mas mawawalan ako ng delikadeza kung hahayaan ko yung kasinungalingan ang mangingibabaw. Kailangang lumabas ang katotohanan. It will be a great disservice to the Filipino people [if] as a sitting senator, hahayaan ko lang na yung kasinungalingan ang mangingibabaw,” Dela Rosa said.

(They said I have no delicadeza [propriety]. I will lose face even more if I allow lies to prevail. The truth needs to come out. It is a great disservice to the Filipino if, as a sitting senator, I would just allow lies to thrive.)

“Dadalo ako [I will attend] because I don't want to sacrifice the truth. The truth should come out. Ayaw kong i-perpetuate yung kasinungalingan,” he added.

(I will attend because I don't want lies to perpetuate.) —KBK/BM, GMA Integrated News