Bato says he’s a little anxious on outcome of ICC probe on Duterte’s drug war

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday admitted feeling a little anxious about the outcome of the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the drug war launched by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Normal ‘yan ano… Kaunti. Nag-aalala. Problema man talaga ‘yan alangan sabihin kong ‘di problema ‘yan,” he said when asked if he is anxious about the ICC investigation.

(That’s just normal. I am a bit anxious. That is really a problem. I’m not going to tell you that I don’t consider it as a problem.)

“Problema talaga ‘yan pero I am ready. No doubt about it, I am ready,” he added.

(That is a problem, but I am ready to face it. No doubt about it, I am ready.)

In a speech on October 21, Duterte said the ICC probe is making Dela Rosa nervous.

After Duterte was elected into office in 2016, then-Philippine National Police chief Dela Rosa implemented Oplan Tokhang as part of the anti-illegal drug campaign of the administration.

Dela Rosa earlier said he would continue Oplan Tokhang, which means toktok hangyo or knock and plead, should he be elected as president in Eleksyon 2022.

Many drug personalities surrendered in 'tokhang' operations but there were deaths as authorities claimed the suspects resisted arrest and fought back.

Government critics claim the number of deaths have reached 20,000 but police maintained there were only over 5,000. Both international and local human rights groups have condemned the killings.

In September this year, the ICC authorized he start of its investigation into the killings in the Philippines' war on drugs.

Malacañang, however, maintained that ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Duterte recently said he will prepare for his defense for the ICC investigation on his war on drugs after he steps down from office in 2022. — RSJ, GMA News