Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday, May 22, said he wants to reinstate death penalty for drug convicts if he becomes senator after the 2019 midterm elections.
Dela Rosa said death penalty for drug offenders would help ensure safety and security in communities in the country.
“Kung sakaling mangyari ang ganoon, more on safety and security ang ating pag-uusapan. Gusto ko magkaroon ng death penalty ‘yung mga drug offenders,” Dela Rosa told reporters in the Senate.
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief had previously expressed his openness to run for a seat in the Senate. He said he is only waiting for the instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Magde-decide ako pag sinabihan ako ni Presidente. Yun lang ang hinihintay ko,” Dela Rosa said.
During his stint in the PNP, Dela Rosa’s leadership was marred with controversy for alleged human rights violations under Duterte’s war on drugs campaign.
Despite this, Dela Rosa said there is an overwhelming support for his possible candidacy in the 2019 elections.
“Nakakaengganyo rin eh. Tao lang tayo, tao ka lang naman. That’s normal na human instinct na matutuwa ka na merong tao o grupo ng mga tao na gustong patakbuhin ka so ibig sabihin meron ka pang pwedeng ma-contribute,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa, however, reiterated that his focus at the moment is his work at the BuCor.
“As I have said again and again, depende na ‘yan kay Presidente. Meron pa akong misyon sa BuCor, linisin muna ang BuCor at trabahuhin ko muna ito,” Dela Rosa said.
