Two members of the “Young Guns” bloc of the House of Representatives on Saturday told Sen. Bato dela Rosa that he should just “face the music” and explain to the International Criminal Court his alleged involvement as the PNP chief during the bloody drug war of the Duterte administration that killed thousands of Filipinos.
Instead of accusing the House leadership of playing politics, House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre and House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon both urged Dela Rosa to come forward and clarify his involvement in the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the controversial Duterte "war on drugs."
Acidre noted that Dela Rosa has repeatedly denied his accountability for the violence that marred the drug campaign.
"Sana harapin na lang ni Sen. Bato ang asunto niya sa ICC, para makaharap niya na din at madinig ang malulungkot na kwento ng mga naulila ng mga napatay noong drug war. He keeps distancing himself from the thousands of deaths during the war on drugs, but he was the PNP Chief during that time," Acidre said.
“He cannot deny that he played a central role in the implementation of the bloody drug war,” Acidre said.
“Kung ayaw niyang magpaliwanag dito sa ating Kongreso, sa ICC na lang magpaliwanag. The families of the victims and the international community deserves answers for the thousands of deaths under his watch,” Acidre added.
Bongalon also weighed in, questioning why Dela Rosa continues to evade responsibility despite his position as PNP chief during the most violent phase of the anti-drug operations.
"Sen. Bato cannot just brush aside the ICC’s investigation. He was at the helm of the police force when the most egregious human rights abuses were committed. It is his duty to explain what happened," Bongalon stressed.
He further pointed out that during the Quad Comm hearings, several witnesses testified about the PNP’s direct involvement in extrajudicial killings under Dela Rosa's leadership.
"The Quad Committee hearings revealed that police forces were given orders to shoot on sight. How can Sen. Dela Rosa deny his involvement when the bloodiest parts of the war on drugs were carried out under his command?" Bongalon asked.
The ICC has been conducting a probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war, with international prosecutors zeroing in on allegations of state-sanctioned killings. Both Acidre and Bongalon believe that it is high time for Dela Rosa to face these charges.
"We cannot ignore the mounting evidence of human rights violations. If Sen. Bato continues to avoid accountability in our hearings, the ICC will demand that justice be served," Acidre said.
Bongalon echoed the call, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability from public officials.
"If Dela Rosa truly believes he did nothing wrong, then he should not be afraid to explain his side before the ICC. Let the world know what really happened during those bloody years," Bongalon said.
Both lawmakers also criticized Dela Rosa’s refusal to testify in the Quad Committee hearings on his involvement in the extrajudicial killings.
"His silence here in Congress is disconcerting. But he cannot stay silent forever. Justice demands answers, and if he won’t give them here, the ICC will ask for them," Acidre declared.
As the ICC investigation progresses, lawmakers like Acidre and Bongalon believe it is crucial for the truth about the drug war’s darkest moments to come to light.
"Ang daming pamilya na naulila dahil sa kampanya na ito. They deserve to know who was responsible and why it happened," Bongalon added, underscoring the emotional toll of the anti-drug campaign on countless Filipino families.
The ICC's investigation into Duterte’s drug war is ongoing, with a focus on the alleged systematic killing of drug suspects.
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