Senator Bato Slams '30,000 Drug War Deaths' Claim as Fake News



Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa firmly rejects human rights groups' estimates, claiming the real death toll is less than a quarter of what critics suggest.

The man who once led the Philippines' bloody drug war has broken his silence. Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa lashed out at critics during a PDP Laban rally in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, calling reports of 30,000 deaths during the anti-drug campaign "fake news."

"The claims of 30,000 deaths are all fake news," Dela Rosa told supporters, his voice rising above the crowd. The government's official count stands at about 6,200 deaths – a stark difference that has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about the Duterte administration's controversial policy.

Dela Rosa's comments come as former President Rodrigo Duterte faces international scrutiny over possible crimes against humanity. The senator painted a picture of national grief over these investigations.

"Who among you wasn't hurt when they tried to force President Duterte to another country? We were all hurt. Until now, we are all mourning," he said.



The former police chief admitted some officers abused their power during anti-drug operations. But he quickly dismissed these as isolated cases that were properly handled. He questioned why critics sought international intervention.

"They have big plans to seize power in our government," Dela Rosa claimed, suggesting a hidden political agenda behind the investigations.

He defended the drug war's purpose, saying, "We didn't wage a war on drugs to get rich. We did it to save the future of Filipino youth."

According to Dela Rosa, the Philippines was on the brink of becoming a narco-state before the crackdown began. "We had areas controlled by drug lords. They decided who would become mayor, governor, or congressman," he said.

Human rights organizations continue to document cases of extrajudicial killings allegedly linked to the drug war, maintaining their higher estimates despite government denials.


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