“Don’t be a coward, face drug war charges,” declared Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel in a press statement on Wednesday (January 24).

He then told the former chief of the Philippine National Police, “Pa-victim masyado. Hindi pang-aapi ang imbestigasyon.”

Reacting to reports that ICC investigators have already launched their probe of former President Rodrigo Duterte and him, De la Rosa vented his ire on Marcos as he aired suspicions that the president may have wanted “us jailed.”

“Frankly, let’s talk man-to-man. If you want us investigated and jailed, just tell us face to face. You are saying something, but what’s happening is different,” De la Rosa told Senate reporters last Monday.

Duterte and De la Rosa are being investigated on suspicions that they planned and carried out the bloody anti-drug war by ordering the killing of over 10,000 individuals suspected of involvement in the trafficking of illegal narcotics during Duterte’s first two years as president.

De la Rosa was the PNP chief during the time that the so-called ‘tokhang’ killings were launched.

In a statement on Wednesday, Marcos did not confirm or deny that ICC probers are currently in the country to gather evidence against Duterte, De la Rosa, and other supposed cohorts in carrying out the war against illegal drugs.

However, he declared that the government will not lift a finger to help the probers even if they seek government cooperation in the conduct of their investigation.

Manuel said Bato has nothing to worry about the probe and should consider himself lucky for being granted due process that the Duterte administration failed to give those executed.

“Swerte pa nga ni Sen. Bato dahil binibigyan pa siya ng due process at pagkakataong magpaliwanag, ‘di tulad ng libo-libong mga Pilipino, lalo mga kabataan, na pinatay sa pekeng gera kontra droga dahil lang pinaghinalaan ng mga pulis,” said Manuel.

The young solon added, “He should be brave enough to face any possible charges or be held accountable.”

According to Manuel, the senator’s actions indicate that he is being “paranoid” because there appears to be strong evidence against him and Duterte.

He said that even without Malacañang’s cooperation, the ICC should expect help from those who believe that justice should be accorded to those mercilessly and treacherously killed on mere suspicion of involvement in drugs or for espousing legitimate political beliefs."