Bato confident Duterte can defend self against PNP-CIDG complaint
February 18, 2025
BATO CONFIDENT DUTERTE CAN DEFEND SELF AGAINST PNP-CIDG COMPLAINT
Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa is confident that former president Rodrigo Duterte can defend himself should the criminal complaints filed against him by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) over his "kill" and "bomb" remarks against senators prosper.
"Wala 'yan. If ever mag-prosper 'yung kaso na 'yan sa prosecution, kayang-kaya naman 'yan ni Pangulong Duterte harapin. Wala 'yan. Non-issue 'yan," Dela Rosa said on Monday night in an interview with the media in Mandaluyong City.
PNP-CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday filed complaints for unlawful utterances and inciting to sedition before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Dela Rosa expressed bemusement over the PNP-CIDG's move to file its case despite the absence of complainants.
"I don't know why. Meron bang nag-complain na papatayin siya? Wala naman siguro. At kusang loob lang, parang motu proprio nagpa-file ng kaso sa CIDG ng kaso laban sa kanya. So that's something to think about, 'di ba? Usually, 'yung gano'ng mga krimen o 'yung mga ganyang kaso, may mga complainant talaga, 'di ba? The complainant should be a private complainant lalong-lalo na kung grave threats 'yan or what. But then there's nobody complaining na out of the blue, CIDG is filing its case against the Former President," the senator argued.
He, however, conceded that the PNP-CIDG has the prerogative to file.
"If they feel na that's their duty, then do it. They have to do it," he said.
The former PNP chief also dismissed any ill intent in Duterte's remarks, as he recalled the latter's jocular manner.
"Kilala naman niyo si Pangulong Duterte kung paano 'yan magsalita, magbiro. Kung may balak siyang patayin, eh di... Bakit sasabihin pa niya in national TV? Patayin?
Very clear na nagbibiro lang, nagpapatawa lang 'yung tao. Ang problema diyan, walang 15 senators na nasaktan, ang nasaktan ang CIDG," Dela Rosa said.
The PNP-CIDG's complaints stemmed from Duterte's statements during the proclamation rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) held last Feb. 13.
The former president said during the rally that there were too many candidates in this year's elections who were eyeing seats in the Senate.
"Patayin natin 'yung mga senador ngayon para mabakante. Kung makapatay tayo ng mga 15 na senador, pasok na tayong lahat," said Duterte.
Other senators made light of Duterte's remarks, including Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who said that the former president merely likes to joke.
"Mapagbiro lang talaga si PRRD," Estrada said.
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