A lawmaker challenged Senator Ronald Dela Rosa to simply cooperate with the Lower House’s investigation into the deaths of an estimated 27,000 Filipinos as a result of the previous administration’s supposed drug war instead of creating a false narrative that there is a conspiracy against him.
On Friday, Rep. Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps party-list group stressed that honesty and accountability are paramount in the face of grave accusations such as being complicit to mass murder.
“Senator Dela Rosa, what we’re asking for is quite simple – be honest to the people and to God. The truth has a way of coming out, no matter how much we try to hide it. It is better to face it now with honesty,” the minority bloc leader said in a mixture of English and Filipino.
Libanan especially expressed concern over the serious allegations hurled against Dela Rosa and others in the Philippine National Police (PNP) by one of its own.
He praised whistleblower Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido for choosing to speak up despite the risks involved.
“Espenido’s bravery is an example of one’s love for the truth and his country,” Libanan pointed out
He urged other witnesses to come forward to ensure that justice is served for the families of those who were killed during the bloody campaign against alleged drug personalities.
Libanan was apparently reacting to Dela Rosa’s insinuations that House Speaker Martin Romualdez was behind the “Quad Committee” inquiry into the bloody drug war.
The Quad Comm is a consolidation of four separate House committees that have banded together to probe extra judicial killings allegedly authorized by the Duterte Administration.
“I don’t want to antagonize the chairmen in the quad committees. I know that they are just doing their jobs,” said Dela Rosa.
“[The] committee chairmen… I have no doubts [about] them, but who’s behind this committee, it’s the Speaker of the House, right,” the senator added.
“I swear to God, I never gave any monetary consideration, any monetary reward for any PNP accomplishment… especially if a person linked to illegal drugs was killed,” said the former police chief-turned lawmaker.
However, Dela Rosa’s statements did not sit well with members of the QuadComm who did not appreciate their role being downplayed by the senator.
“It is so unfair that he (Dela Rosa) accuses members of the Quad-Comm of conducting the investigation at the Speaker’s behest. I will not allow myself to be used to advance anyone’s political agenda. I am not seeking a higher office so, this probe doesn’t help me politically,” Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez said on Friday.
