MANILA, Philippines — A “third force” composed of all critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte may be behind the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) persistent move to investigate the past administration’s bloody war on drugs, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Friday.
The ICC had recently authorized the request of its prosecutor Karim Khan to continue the probe into Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs led by Dela Rosa, who was then at the helm of the Philippine National Police before he became a senator.
This recent move, according to Dela Rosa, may have been instigated by Duterte’s enemies, who are out to exact revenge on him and his allies.
“There are some forces na nagtutulak sa kanila na itutuloy nila kahit na yung Filipino people ay walang effort na..hindi nagkukumahog na mag conduct ng investigation. In fact, ayaw nga ng mga Filipino na pumasok sila dito. So merong outside forces, may third force siguro na gusto talagang itutuloy yung imbestigasyon,” the senator said in a Zoom nterview with Senate reporters.
(Some forces are instigating ICC to continue its probe even if Filipinos are not exerting any effort and are not rushing to have this investigation. Filipinos don’t want them to come in. So there are outside forces, maybe a third force that wants to continue the investigation.)
“Galit sila, galit sila dahil tinamaan sila ng husto ng Duterte admin. ‘Yung kaliwa…basta lahat ng anti-Duterte forces gustong-gusto talaga nila na ma-prosecute,” he added.
(They are mad because the Duterte administration walloped them. The Left— all anti-Duterte forces—really want to prosecute us.)
When pressed about the so-called “third force,” Dela Rosa pointed to those who initiated the probe against him, Duterte, and other former government officials charged with crimes against humanity before the ICC.
“In the first place, hindi tatakbo ‘yung investigation nila kung walang pumunta doon at nag-file ng kaso. For all you know, hindi ito yung mga victim, these are political personalities na anti-Duterte. Kilala niyo at alamin niyo anong ginawa nila,” he said.
(In the first place, there would be no investigation if they did not go there and file a case. For all you know, these are not the victims. These are political personalities that are anti-Duterte. Find out who they are and what they did.)
But when asked if he was referring to former Senator Sonny Trillanes, Dela Rosa’s quick answer was: “Ay sino pa (who else)?.”
Trillanes refused to comment on the senator’s remark when asked for his reaction.
Dela Rosa reminded their critics that their family and loved ones are now enjoying the “peace and tranquility” brought about by their war on drugs.
“Kaya makonsensya din kayo (So you should also feel guilty),” he then said.
Despite this, Dela Rosa said he has no plans to file a case against those trying to implicate them at the ICC.
“Manigas sila. Wala akong pakialam sa kanila. HIndi ko sila fa-file-an ng kaso. Bahala sila sa buhay nila,” he said.
(I don’t care about them. I will not file a case. They can do whatever they want.)
“Hindi ko sila papansinin. Fight lang sila, sige tuloy lang ‘yung gusto niyo,” he went on, “Bigyan ko sila ng importansya? Manigas sila. Bahala sila sa buhay nila. Wala akong pakialam. They don’t deserve my attention para sa akin.”
(I’m not going to give them attention. Go on. Keep fighting if you want to. Give them importance? No way. Do whatever you want. I don’t care. They don’t deserve my attention.)
READ: Opposition ‘must go beyond anti-Duterte platform’ in 2022 polls – Drilon