Bato on possible charges vs him: I have ‘balls’ to face them

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa vowed that he would not escape responsibility should charges be filed against him for being at the helm of the government’s ferocious war on drugs.

Dela Rosa, who has led the 180,000-strong police force for 21 months, will retire on Thursday, April 19.

In an interview on CNN Philippines, the PNP chief said he is ready to face charges that would be filed after his retirement from the police service.

“I have the balls to face anything that you are going to charge against me,” he said Wednesday.

Dela Rosa added that he was taught in the Philippine Military Academy to take responsibility for his actions.

“I won’t embarrass my alma mater,” the graduate of PMA Class of Sinagtala said.

READ: Bato should answer for drug war deaths — HRW

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said that Dela Rosa should answer for the deaths linked to the war on drugs—the bloody campaign that he has led as the country’s top cop.

The war on drugs has resulted in the deaths of a little over 4,000 drug suspects, according to the government. But critics and rights groups have higher estimates.

The International Criminal Court has initiated a preliminary examination into the allegations of crimes against humanity committed by Duterte in his drug war.

The initial inquiry stemmed from the communication filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, which said that 11 other government officials such as Dela Rosa, should be held liable along with the chief executive.

“If it happened during my time as the PNP chief, I am accountable for that,” Dela Rosa said.

He will soon head the Bureau of Corrections.

READ: Biggest controversies that troubled the PNP under Dela Rosa