MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa dismissed the criminal complaints filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his controversial remarks about “killing senators,” calling the case a “non-issue” and questioning the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) decision to pursue it.

“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.

The PNP-CIDG filed complaints for unlawful utterances and inciting to sedition against Duterte over his February 13 remark about eliminating senators during a PDP-Laban rally.

“Patayin natin ‘yung mga senador ngayon para mabakante. Kung makapatay tayo ng mga 15 na senador, pasok na tayong lahat,” Duterte said.

Dela Rosa, a staunch Duterte ally, expressed confusion over the case, particularly the absence of private 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?” he said, arguing that such cases usually require an aggrieved party.

Despite his doubts, he conceded that the PNP-CIDG had the authority to file the complaint.

“If they feel na that’s their duty, then do it. They have to do it,” he remarked.

Dela Rosa also downplayed Duterte’s statements, dismissing them as jokes.

“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?” he said. “Very clear na nagbibiro lang, nagpapatawa lang ‘yung tao. Ang problema diyan, walang 15 senators na nasaktan, ang nasaktan ang CIDG.”

Other senators also took Duterte’s remarks lightly, including Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.

“Mapagbiro lang talaga si PRRD,” Estrada said.