House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro strongly criticized Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa for his recent statements alleging a conspiracy against him and former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the ongoing investigations into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the so-called “war on drugs.”
“Senator Dela Rosa is jumping out of his skin every time he is being made to account for his role in the extra-judicial killings during the fake drug war of the Duterte administration,” Rep. Castro stated.
“First, he played nonchalant on the issue. Second, when he felt the ICC heat is increasing, he begged Marcos Jr. to protect him from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Third, he tried to divert the issue by launching red-tagging hearings, and now he is saying that there is a conspiracy to nail him and former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his ilk.”
The progressive lawmaker dismissed Dela Rosa’s claims of an alliance between the current administration, the left, and the “yellows” as baseless and diversionary.
“He should really get his facts straight and not just go out screaming conspiracy theories. All we want is transparency, accountability, and justice for the transgressions of the past administration,” Castro emphasized.
The Makabayan bloc, of which Rep. Castro is a member, has consistently called for thorough investigations into the human rights violations committed during the previous administration’s drug war.
“If he has nothing to hide, then he should just attend the probes and face the ICC,” Rep. Castro challenged. “Senator Dela Rosa’s attempts to paint legitimate calls for accountability as some sort of political conspiracy only serve to highlight the urgent need for a proper investigation into these serious allegations.”
The ACT Teachers representative reiterated the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of EJKs and their families, emphasizing that no one should be above the law.
“We will continue to push for accountability and justice, regardless of Senator Dela Rosa’s unfounded accusations. The Filipino people deserve the truth, and no amount of conspiracy theories can change that fact,” Rep. Castro concluded.
