Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop told Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to face the accusations against him regarding the bloody war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte instead of hiding under Vice President Sara Duterte’s skirt.
Acop issued the remarks after Dela Rosa alleged that former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s testimony before the quad committee was part of a “smear campaign” aimed at the vice president and her allies in preparation for the 2028 elections.
Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when Duterte’s “anti-drug war” was implemented, during which thousands of Filipinos were killed.
In the statement, Acop said there is no basis for Dela Rosa’s claim that former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s testimony before the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives is part of a “demolition job” against Vice President Duterte and her allies in preparation for the 2028 elections.
“There’s no demolition job here—only legitimate questions that need clear answers. Sen. Dela Rosa should be man enough to face the facts and take responsibility, instead of hiding behind VP Sara’s skirt,” Acop said.
The purpose of the quad-committee hearings, according to Acop, is to ascertain the truth about the extrajudicial executions associated with Duterte’s drug campaign and its linkages to the illicit drug trade and Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs).
Acop clarified that there was no political maneuvering in the conducted hearing, especially since Mabilog’s testimony is crucial to the focus of the investigation.
“Our goal is to craft laws that will put an end to these crimes—not to play political games,” Acop said.
“Ang trabaho ng komite ay imbestigahan at gumawa ng batas para matigil ang mga krimen na ito. Wala kaming pakialam sa eleksyon ng 2028—ang mahalaga ay ang hustisya para sa mga biktima,” Acop added.
Mabilog claimed that during the height of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, he would have been forced to falsely accuse former Senators Franklin Drilon and Mar Roxas of being drug lords if he had not left the country.
The former mayor also revealed that he and his family received threats after the former president accused him of being a protector of the illegal drug trade.
Dela Rosa also downplayed the House investigation, dismissing it as a “fishing expedition.”
Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, also refuted Dela Rosa’s statement, asserting that the investigation is focused on uncovering the truth and holding those responsible for the killings accountable.
“Senator Dela Rosa’s claims of ‘demolition job’ and ‘fishing expedition’ are far from the truth. Our committee is committed to addressing systemic problems, and this investigation is about holding those responsible accountable—not playing politics,” Abante said.
The lawmaker also challenged Dela Rosa to appear before the Quad Committee and present his side regarding Mabilog’s testimony.
Both Acop and Abante emphasized that the joint panel’s objective is to uncover the connections between illegal drugs, POGOs, and abuses of power that have existed in the country for many years. (TCSP)
