On Wednesday, November 3, Senator Ronald dela Rosa declared himself “ready” for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into President Rodrigo Duterte’s “drug war,” which he led from 2016 until 2018 when he retired.
“Ready ako any time na humarap sa kanila ,” said Dela Rosa, who is running for president under the Cusi wing of the ruling PDP-Laban.
The “Oplan Tokhang,” a direct intervention program against suspected drug pushers and users, has been Dela Rosa’s idea ever since he was Davao city’s police chief.
“Ang aking paghahanda lang ay sinusugarado ko na ang aking puso ay malinis, at ang akin konsensiya ay malinis.”
Additionally, he said he had no contact with legal counsel – either here in the Philippines or abroad – ahead of the ICC investigation.
Government estimates place the number of victims of law enforcement operations at around 8,000. However, human rights groups estimate that up to 30,000 have died in state operations as well as attacks by supposed vigilantes.
The ICC report names Dela Rosa along with other key officials from the administration.
