Netizens criticized Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for his recent demand for Filipinos to sing “Bayang Magiliw” a thousand times as a patriotic exercise.

His comments coincided with rumors that investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC) had already arrived in the Philippines, where the court had opened an investigation into the brutal “drug war” that broke out under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, during which dela Rosa held the position of chief implementer for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Dela Rosa urged those supporting the ICC’s investigation of the previous administration’s drug war to sing the Philippine National Anthem “Bayang Magiliw” a thousand times.

Dela Rosa accused them of “surrendering” Philippine sovereignty to foreigners, alleging that they do not love their country.

Dela Rosa led Duterte’s violent drug war as chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018.

Afraid of going to jail

Dela Rosa maintained he did not do anything wrong during the “war on drugs.” He admitted in the ANC interview he is afraid he might get an arrest warrant and jail sentence from the ICC for his role, fearing that he will not see his grandchildren if he does.

When asked whether he is concerned about rumors that ICC investigators had already begun probing in the Philippines, Dela Rosa responded: “Ikaw, hindi ka ba takot na mapasok sa kulungan?”

“Bakit, lahat ba ng nakakulong ngayon ay talagang may kasalanan? Hindi naman. Hindi ako takot na sabihin mo na meron akong na-commit na kasalanan. No. Takot ako na makulong dahil kawawa ang mga apo ko at hindi ko na makikita,” Dela Rosa added.

“Yun lang ang akin. Buti kung makulong ka lang dito sa Pilipinas, [eh kung] ikukulong ka doon sa The Hague? Paano makakabisita ngayon ang apo mo? They will grow up lolo-less. Kawawa naman ang mga apo ko. I love my apo so much,” the Senator emphasized.

Wag pa-victim! – Rep. Manuel to Bato

Kabataan party-list representative Raoul Manuel called on Dela Rosa to take responsibility for the drug war that resulted in the killings of thousands.

“Huwag kang pa-victim masyado. Hindi pang-aapi ang imbestigasyon,” Rep. Manuel said.

“Senator Bato is even lucky because he is given due process and a chance to explain, unlike the thousands of Filipinos, especially the youth, who were killed in the fake drug war just because they were suspected by police,” Manuel said.

“He should be brave enough to face any possible charges or be held accountable,” he stressed.

Netizens chided Sen. Bato for his “Bayang Magiliw” statement

Netizens criticized Sen. Dela Rosa, particularly for using “Bayang Magiliw” instead of “Lupang Hinirang” as the National Anthem’s title.

Milky Santiago Aasheim commented on Facebook, “Siguro alamin mo muna ang tamang pamagat para matuto kang maging makabayan.”

Allan Arce Rondilla expressed dismay on Dela Rosa’s use of “Bayang Magiliw”, saying, “Meron na bang kantang na-compose na may titulong ‘Bayang Magiliw’? Wala pa ata, Bato. Ano ba naman yan? Wag naman masyado pa-obvious na hindi ka bagay na senador. Talo ka pa ata ng elementary students. Kakahiya ka.”

Rondilla added, “Meron ka na bang nagawang batas na nagpapalit sa titulo ng ating Pambansang Awit na ‘Lupang Hinirang’? Kung wala pa, shut up! Napaghahalatang takot na takot ka talaga sa warrant ng ICC.”

Den Nis suggested, “Sya dapat kumanta. Di nya alam title ng pambansang awit.”

Meanwhile, artists like “Tarantadong Kalbo” openly mocked Dela Rosa in a cartoon featuring Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel correcting him.

Photo: Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa FB