Bato: Marcos remarks vs Alyansa foes uncalled for

Reelectionist Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Thursday the statements of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. against opponents of the administration slate were "uncalled for and unexpected" from a Chief Executive.

Dela Rosa was reacting to the Marcos' remarks during the proclamation rally of the administration ticket Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, apparently targeted at candidates of the Duterte-backed Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban).

"Uncalled for, unexpected coming from a President. Hindi namin inaasahan na gan'un. Pero sige lang, tanggap namin 'yan na this is political season. [We didn't expect that but it's okay, this is the political season.] We expect political bashing and political everything," the senator said during the proclamation rally of PDP Laban in San Juan City.

Last Tuesday, Marcos said none of the Alyansa candidates were involved in killings during the war on drugs, corruption during the pandemic, and subservience to China. The President also referred to a false prophet who abused women and children.

Some Duterte administration officials, including Dela Rosa, are under investigation by the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings blamed on the former president's war on drugs. Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when Duterte implemented Oplan Tokhang as part of the Oplan Double Barrel anti-drug campaign.

"'Yung tokhang, alam niyo, okay lang kung iba-brand niyo ako na may bahid ng dugo ang kamay kung ang dugo na 'yun ay dugo ng masasamang tao at nagkabahid ng dugo ang aking kamay. Dahil sa aking pagpo-protekta sa buhay ng matitino, mababait, at matulungin sa batas," Dela Rosa said.

(If you will brand me as someone who has blood on his hands because of tokhang, and that blood is the blood of evil people, then I'm okay with that. I was protecting the lives of decent and kind people, and those who help implement the law.)

He added, "Wala akong problema. Itaga niyo sa bato, wala akong ka-kimi kiming madumihan ang aking kamay [ng] dugo kapag kinakailangang protektahan ang buhay ng matitino."

(I have no problem. Mark my words. I have no qualms to have my hands stained with blood if I have to protect the lives of decent people.)

Willing to die

Dela Rosa, who is a loyal ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, denied that he is pro-China, saying that he is willing to die and fight the "bullies" in the West Philippine Sea.

Reelectionist Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on the allegation that he is pro-China: “Willing ako magpakamatay sa West Philippine Sea kung sasabihin nila na pro-China ako.” @gmanews pic.twitter.com/b83Qs07hbP

— Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) February 13, 2025

"Ako, prangkahin ko kayo. Willing ako magpakamatay sa West Philippine Sea kung sasabihin nila na pro-China ako. Willing ako makipaggiyera diyan sa West Philippine Sea," he told reporters.

(I will be frank to you. I'm willing to die in the West Philippine Sea if they say that I'm pro-China. I'm willing to go to war in the West Philippine Sea.)

"Pro-China? Hinahamon ko sila. Kung gusto nila ay bibigyan ko sila ng baril at bala atakehin natin 'yang mga nambu-bully sa West Philippine Sea," he added.

(Pro-China? I'm challenging them, if they want, I will give them a gun and we will attack the bullies there in the West Philippine Sea.)

The Philippines during the Duterte administration pivoted to China and strengthened its friendship with Beijing.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.