Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has disputed the existence of the “Davao Death Squad” (DDS), suggesting that the term was popularized by the media to characterize past killings of drug suspects in Davao City.
Speaking at the Defense and Sporting Arms Show in Davao City’s SMX Convention Center on Wednesday, Dela Rosa also denied any involvement in the so-called DDS.
This comes after former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma referred to the DDS during a House Quad Committee hearing.
Dela Rosa clarified he had never seen notes with the label “DDS” left beside the bodies of suspected criminals.
“Matagal akong pulis sa Davao pero wala akong nakitang ganon,” he noted, underscoring his unfamiliarity with such practices.
“Forgive me if I am wrong, kayo ang media, kayo ang nagko-cover,” he said.
“But let me correct myself, not creation of the media, but propagated by the media… nakita niyo man kaya na may nakasulat doon na DDS. So every time mayroong patay na ganoon, tapos nire-refer na ng media na DDS, but not all,” Dela Rosa added.
The senator also dismissed claims of a reward system for police officers involved in drug-related killings, emphasizing that rewards were meant only for the capture of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s most-wanted individuals, like terrorists and hardened criminals.
“As far as I am concerned, walang reward system. Never akong nagbigay ng reward,” he stated.
In the same conversation, Dela Rosa also criticized House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chair Dan Fernandez for allegedly mentioning his son during a recent Quad Committee hearing, emphasizing that his son is striving independently in his career.
“Yung anak ko nagsusumikap para sa career niya tapos ganon na lang,” he said, emphasizing his son’s professionalism and independence.
As the Senate prepares for an investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, Dela Rosa vowed to “set the record straight.” “I will not be extra careful as far as the truth is concerned… basta ang habol ko lang dito is katotohanan, lalabas ang katotohanan,” he affirmed.
Dela Rosa welcomed the chance to serve as a resource person in the Senate’s upcoming investigation, led by Sen. Koko Pimentel, scheduled to begin on October 28.
“They can ask me… they can interpellate me anytime they want,” he stressed, adding that he sees this as an opportunity for truth to emerge.
When asked if he would support implementing the anti-narcotics campaign again, Dela Rosa answered without hesitation, “No regrets. Given the chance to do it again, I will do it again.
The same approach.” He recently criticized the House investigation as being “in aid of persecution.”