Dela Rosa-led drug war probe may not sit well with lawmakers - Escudero

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Thursday, Oct. 17, that a drug war probe led by Sen. Bato dela Rosa may “not sit well” with other lawmakers.

In a chance interview in Sorsogon, Escudero said he spoke to Dela Rosa about the latter’s plan to hold a Senate investigation on the anti-narcotics campaign of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa was the national police chief at the height of the drug war. He is now the chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Escudero said he is set to meet Dela Rosa over the weekend.

“Mas maganda siguro kung hindi sila (Sen. Bong Go) ang manguna sa komiteng iyon para walang alegasyon na ito ay personal at hindi impartial, hindi fair,” he said.

[Translation: It might be better if he and Sen. Bong Go will not lead the committee’s probe so there will be no allegation of personal agenda and not impartial.]

PCol Royina Garma (ret.) recently told the House quad committee of a supposed system that rewarded police officers who killed drug war suspects during Duterte’s presidency.

She also said ex-National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo had reported incidents to Go if someone died during police operations to “request funds for operational expenses.” Garma was a longtime police official in Davao before a short stint in Cebu ahead of her retirement in 2019. Duterte appointed her Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager.

In the same hearing, self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa said Dela Rosa pressured him to implicate former Sen. Leila de Lima in illegal drug trade.

The lawmakers denied all allegations.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said it would be better to create a committee of the whole, which would enable the entire Senate to investigate Duterte’s drug war. Escudero said this is an option.

“Tinitignan ko rin ang ibang komite na pwedeng maghandle nito maliban sa komite ni Senator Bato. Syempre, may karapatan sya at bahagi sya dun sa pagtalakay at discuss ng bagay na iyon,” he said.

[Translation: I'm also looking at other committees that could handle this aside from Sen. Bato's committee. Of course, he has the right to be involved in the discussion and deliberation of that matter.]

NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report