MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has expressed disappointment over the resurgence of drugs in the country after the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, likening the resurrection of drug use like candies sold on the streets.

The lawmaker drew comparisons between the accounts from Duterte’s drug war and those from the current administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.

“Ang daming tao na nagsasabi na nagpapasalamat sila sa war on drugs dahil safe na ‘yung kanilang environment. So, for us, it’s a great success,” Dela Rosa said Tuesday.

Bato, Duterte, and four other former and current police officers were identified by the International Criminal Court as “suspects” in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.  

According to Bato, the current drug situation of the country is “worse.”

“Malala! Tanungin mo ang mga barangay kapitan, pumunta ka. Pumunta ka do’n sa ground…Wala kang maririnig na barangay kapitan na magsabi na, ‘Sir, okay ang aming sitwasyon sa drugs. Perfect na, wala nang problema,’” Bato said.

“Halos lahat magsasabi sa’yo [kahit] hindi nga natin tinatanong eh, lalapit sa atin at magsusumbong. ‘Sir, andiyan na naman sila, Sir. Nagkakalat na naman. Noon nagsipaglayasan ‘yan, nagsipagtago. Ngayon, andiyan nanaman, parang candy nanaman na binebenta ‘yung drugs sa kalsada,’”he said.

Under the current administration, Marcos said that the approach to the drug war would be bloodless, calling it the “most successful approach to the drug war so far.”

In the previous administration, Dela Rosa noted that around 1.6 million drug-linked individuals had surrendered, and at least 300,000 were arrested. 

He said that Duterte’s drug war needed to be strict to protect future generations, adding that he doesn’t regret implementing Oplan Tokhang.  

During the Duterte-led war on drugs, government records indicated that approximately 8,000 suspected drug pushers and users were killed, though human rights groups suggest the actual number could be higher.  

The death toll remains uncounted as the ICC investigates Bato, Duterte, and other officials allegedly involved in the “bloody” campaign.

“Kaya namin ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte ‘yon dahil mahal na mahal namin ang kabataan, na maisalba ang kabataan sa problema sa ilegal na droga. Kung wala akong pakialam… Anong pakialam ko, Chief PNP ako, after niyan, mag-retire ako, may retirement ako, bakit pa ako papasok sa problema? Dahil iniisip namin ang future generation ng Pilipinas,” he said.

Bato recently claimed that the looming investigation of the ICC is no longer  about seeking justice and more about “controlling their member states.”

He also confirmed in 2024 that the Hague-based international tribunal has been requesting for interviews in relation to the Oplan Tokhang but said he is “ignoring” the calls as they don’t have “jurisdiction” over the country.