Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has defended former President Rodrigo Duterte over his statement about killing around 15 senators, saying it was just a joke, given the former President’s manner of speaking.
On Monday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed complaints of inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances against Duterte.
When reporters asked about his stance, Dela Rosa emphasized that filing a criminal case should require a private complainant.
"Usually, ‘yung ganong mga krimen may complainant talaga. The complainant should be a private complainant, lalong-lalo na kung grave threats ‘yan. But then, there’s nobody complaining," said the senator.
When asked what he would do if he were still PNP Chief, Dela Rosa said he would order the CIDG to drop the complaint, believing that the statement was not serious.
"Kilala naman natin si Pang. Duterte kung paano ‘yan magsalita. Kung may balak siyang pumatay, bakit sasabihin pa niya sa national TV?" he said.
Duterte made the remark during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial proclamation rally at Club Filipino in San Juan City last February 13.
"Marami kasi sila. Ano dapat ang gagawin natin? Patayin na natin ang mga senador para magkaroon ng bakante," he said in Filipino, eliciting laughter from the audience.
"Kung makapatay tayo ng mga 15 senador, pasok na tayong lahat. Pero kawawa naman. Pero nakakainis kasi — hindi naman lahat. Talking of opportunities the only way to do it is to — pasabugin nalang natin 'yung ano," he added.
Bomb jokes are punishable in the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 1727, also known as the "Anti-Bomb Joke Law."
This law prohibits making false bomb threats or malicious bomb jokes, especially in public places like airports, schools, and government offices.
