Bato: War on drugs was a God-given mission

Reelectionist senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa defended the Duterte administration's controversial war on drugs, calling it a "destiny" he shared with former President Rodrigo Duterte and asserting that it was never about personal gain.

“Bakit ginawa namin ni President Duterte yung war on drugs? Ginawa namin yun, hindi para kami yumaman, hindi para kami magka-pera,” Dela Rosa said in a recent public address during the PDP-Laban grand rally in Barangay Pinuahan, Quezon City. 

"Ginawa namin yun para maisalba ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan sa iligal na droga.”

(Why did President Duterte and I carry out the war on drugs? We did it not to enrich ourselves, but to save the future of Filipino youth from illegal drugs.)

Dela Rosa was chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and was the chief implementer of the war on drugs. Under their campaign, thousands of Filipinos were killed—mostly poor, and mostly without due process. Duterte eventually admitted that he could not fulfill his campaign promise of eradicating drugs within three to six months of taking office. He also refused to apologize for the thousands who died during his term.

In March this year, Duterte was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.

Dela Rosa said that the deadly crackdown was a response to what they perceived as an imminent threat of drug lords taking control of local and national politics.

“Muntik na tayong naging narco-state. Sila na ang nagde-desisyon kung sino pwede maging gobernador, kongresista, o mayor,” he said, warning that criminal syndicates once had such financial influence that they could manipulate political outcomes.

(We almost became a narco-state, where drug lords would decide who would become governor, congressman, or mayor.)

He recalled a conversation with Duterte at the time: “Sabi niya, ito isang beses lang ako maging presidente, at ikaw rin, isang beses ka lang maging Chief PNP. We will never pass this way again. Ito ang destiny natin.”

(He said, this is the only time I will be president. And this will also be the only time you will be Chief PNP. We will never pass this way again. This is our destiny.)

Dela Rosa described their rise to power as a mission willed by God, intended to combat drugs, crime, and corruption. 

He emphasized their willingness to go “all in,” even targeting drug buyers, whom he said should also be held accountable.

“Ang droga, hindi dapat binibili yan. Walang distinctive approach pagdating sa bumibili ng droga,” he said.

(Drugs should not be bought. There is no distinctive approach when it comes to buyers of drugs.)

The senator also criticized efforts he claimed were aimed at erasing the Duterte legacy from politics, lamenting what he described as violations of rights and disregard for the Constitution.

“Gusto nila mawala ang mga Duterte sa labanan ng politika,” he said, pointing to alleged political persecution and manipulation of government institutions.

(They want to erase the Dutertes from the political fight.)

He closed by calling for unity in maintaining checks and balances in government, warning against the abuse of power and efforts to silence their side of the political spectrum.

Dela Rosa has consistently defended the anti-drug campaign, which has drawn both domestic support and international criticism over alleged human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings. 

Last month, Dela Rosa said that he is prepared to go to The Hague, the Netherlands should the ICC also issue a warrant of arrest against him for implementing the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.

“Kaya ako, I’m ready to go any time. Ang buhay ko’y nakataya na, naka-kasa na. Any time, pwede akong mamalasin dahil sa aking adbokasiya na ito. Pero never si Bato aatras sa laban na ito, I tell you,” he added. 

(That's why I'm ready to go any time. Any time, I could fall because of this advocacy. But Bato will never back down from this fight, I tell you.)

Other PDP-Laban bets

Another PDP-Laban senatorial candidate, Jimmy Bondoc, also took a strong stance against the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a recent campaign, echoing the party’s defense of Duterte and his allies.

“Hindi po tayo saklaw ng ICC. Ulitin ko ha, hindi tayo saklaw ng ICC,” Bondoc declared to an enthusiastic crowd. “Parang awa niyo na, unawain po nating lahat.”

(We are not under the ICC's jurisdiction. I repeat, we are not under the jurisdiction of the ICC. Let us all understand that.)

The Philippines was a member nation of the ICC until Duterte withdrew the country from the Rome Statute when the international tribunal announced it would investigate him for the drug war deaths.

The ICC has clarified that it has jurisdiction over cases that occurred while the Philippines was still a member, which covers much of Duterte's term. The Philippines' Supreme Court has also clarified that the Philippines is obliged to cooperate with the ICC despite the withdrawal. 

The former singer and now senatorial hopeful issued a plea to voters to continue supporting the Dutertes, framing the political battle as one against forces trying to undermine Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Boboto ba kayo sa Duterte? Pakiusap po namin yan... wala talagang iwanan [Are you going to vote for the Dutertes? Our plea is, don't abandon them],” he said, as he pointed to the overwhelming support Sara Duterte once had during the elections— 32 million, nama!”—and criticized efforts by some members of Congress to unseat her despite having received far fewer votes.

“Kailangan po, may eight plus 1 na Senador na hindi bumoto sa impeachment. Gawin niyo na pong 10,” he said, hinting that their block would serve as a bulwark against political attacks.

Former Marcos executive secretary Vic Rodriguez recalled his early entry into public service. “Ako ho ang pinakabatang naging barangay captain dito sa Quezon City. At the age of 19, ako ho ay barangay captain na,” he said, citing his experience as a foundation for his senatorial run.

(At 19, I became the youngest barangay captain here in Quezon City.)

He aligned himself with Duterte’s allies, saying their slate is committed to exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable.

Rodriguez also noted that the elections come at a critical time for Duterte, who has been the subject of proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC). “May 11, magdadalawang buwan na ho si Tatay Digong diyan sa ICC,” he reminded supporters. 

(On May 11, Duterte will have been in the ICC two months.)

Also during the QC campaign, lawyer and senatorial bets Raul Lambino launched a fiery critique against rival political groups in a recent speech, denouncing what he described as excessive campaign spending and vote-buying tactics while underscoring his team’s grassroots approach and growing support in key regions like Mindanao and the Visayas.

“Paano pa kami mananalo?" Lambino asked rhetorically, pointing to the overwhelming financial and material resources of rival camps. 

"Meron silang katakot-takot na mga ayuda, katakot-takot na mga pera... wala kaming pambayad ng commercial sa telebisyon o sa radyo."

“Ang sa amin lang po ay umaasang maririnig ng mga mamamayang Pilipino ang laman ng aming puso at isipan—para pagsilbihan at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng bawat isa," he said.

(How will we win? They have so much ayuda, staggering amounts of money...we don't have enough to pay for TV or radio commercials. We still hope that the Filipino people can hear what's in out hearts and minds: to serve and protect everyone's rights.)

Lambino claimed that opposition groups are losing ground in Mindanao and that even their local candidates are now allegedly being rejected by residents. 

"Ayaw na nilang mamampana sa Mindanao... hindi na sila tinatanggap ng mga tao," he said, adding, “Mindanao is solidly behind us." 

Reelectionist Senator Bong Go, meanwhile, highlighted his commitment to improving healthcare services in the Philippines, particularly with the establishment of "superhealth centers" across the country.

"Makakaroon po tayo ng 1,700 superhealth centers sa buong Pilipinas {We will have 1,700 sper health centers across the Philippines]," Go said, emphasizing that these centers would offer a range of healthcare services including consultations, X-rays, and even minor surgical procedures. 

"Pwede na po diyan yung mga basic health services na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan [They can offer basic health services that the Filipino public needs]," he added, nothing that the centers aim to provide better accessibility to healthcare for people in rural and remote areas. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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