Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Wednesday, May 13, he does not regret enforcing the Duterte administration’s war on drugs despite the possibility of being arrested in connection with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the campaign.

In an interview, Dela Rosa, who has served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under former president Rodrigo Duterte, recalled spending most of his career in field assignments, beginning with his deployment in Davao after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

However, he clarified that he does not regret implementing the government’s anti-drug campaign.

He said many Filipinos appreciated the campaign because they felt safer in their communities.

“Mga kababayan natin nagpapasalamat sa ginagawang war on drugs dahil libreng-libre na kami maglakad sa aming mga kalsada ngayon (Our fellow countrymen are grateful for the war on drugs because we can now walk freely and safely on our streets),” he said.

Dela Rosa nevertheless acknowledged that there were lapses during the campaign, citing the conviction of police officers involved in the killing of teenager Kian delos Santos in 2017.

Asked if he regretted those lapses, Dela Rosa said, “No war is perfect. Hindi mo ma-perpekto yung war (You cannot perfect the war).”

The senator also accepted that his role in enforcing the drug war may eventually lead to his arrest.

“Andyan na tayo (We're already here). Hindi naman ako officer (I'm not just an officer) for good times only. I am an officer for good times and bad times,” he said.

Dela Rosa maintained that despite the consequences, he believes he fulfilled his duty and helped reduce the country’s drug problem.

“Importante, nagawa ko yung aking tungkulin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa admitted that he sometimes reflects on his years in public service and wonders if he should have taken an easier path in his career instead of dedicating himself fully to police work.

“Minsan-minsan din, papasok sa isip ko, parang nagsisisi ata ako bakit ako nagpaka-loyal sa aking serbisyo,” Dela Rosa said.

He said that many other police officers who did not take their jobs seriously are now enjoying retirement, while he now faces possible arrest.