Dela Rosa criticizes Marcos for targeting Duterte allies

Reelectionist Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s remarks targeting senatorial aspirants aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte during his campaign rally on Thursday.

Dela Rosa, a key figure in implementing Duterte's drug war as a former top cop, said Marcos' statements were 'uncalled for and unexpected' from a Chief Executive.

He emphasized that he does not care about being labeled as someone whose hands are tainted with blood if it involves safeguarding the lives of law-abiding citizens and protecting the West Philippine Sea.

Dela Rosa also defended his campaign, which will employ tokhang or tok, tok hangyo, saying it was not being insensitive to the loved ones of those who died during the War on Drugs.

He challenged critics to pick up guns and bullets as he stated that he is willing to attack 'bullies' in the West Philippine Sea if they accuse him of being pro-China.