By Anthony Pagapulaan

PHOTO: Sen. Dela Rosa FB

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, a supporter of the anti-communist task force, expressed an apology to his fellow politicians, who are calling for the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), whom he called "bwisit."

“Kahapon na-bwisit talaga ako. Nadismaya ako, na-frustrate ako kaya nasabi ko ‘yun, nadala ako sa emosyon. Ganun pa man, magbigay ako ng public apology doon sa aking mga kasamahan na nasabi ko ‘yun kahapon,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN’s TeleRadyo.

The lawmaker admitted on Monday, November 22, that he was just driven by his emotions and that his remarks were 'inappropriate.'

“I am really very sorry. Very inappropriate ‘yung nasabi kong bwisit sila. Nasobrahan ‘yung aking emotion, nadala ako, kaya mag-apologize na lang ako sa kanila. Maling mali ‘yung nasabi ko kahapon. Nadala ako sa aking emotion,” he added.

In addition, Dela Rosa clarified that he was referring to his fellow politicians, who are calling for the dismantling of the NTF-ELCAC, which flagships the administration's programs versus the communist rebellion; and not to his co-senators, who decreased its financial allocation for 2022.

“Sabihin ko sa kanila—ito pangit pakinggan eh—pero bwisit sila,” Dela Rosa said on DZBB last Sunday, November 21, when asked about his sentiments over these people calling for NTF-ELCAC's abolishment rather than just slashing its budget.

He also expressed disturbance over these calls, saying that politicians are only doing this for their political benefits.

“I-abolish kung kailan naging successful ‘yung ahensya sa paglaban sa terorismo, paglaban sa insurhensya, i-abolish nila? Ano, puro pamumulitika na lang talaga ang iniisip nila, na porke nasa oposisyon sila, gusto nila hindi maging successful itong administrasyong Duterte sa paglaban ng problema ng ating bansa? Ganun na lang talaga ang utak nila? Bwisit,” Dela Rosa further said.

Dela Rosa was told by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to focus on the issue and to “stop the name-calling.”