Dela Rosa willing to wage war in WPS to prove he is not pro-China

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa during the Blue Ribbon inquiry on February 21, 2023. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday said he is willing to wage war in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to prove that he is not pro-China.

Dela Rosa was reacting to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks that his administration’s senatorial slate does not include candidates who are pro-China and pro-Philippine offshore gaming operators, and is tainted by the bloody drug war dubbed as Oplan Tokhang.

READ: Dela Rosa slams Marcos remarks on drug war, Pogos, China

“I’ll be frank with you. I am willing to kill myself in the West Philippine Sea if they say I am pro-China. I am eager to wage war there in the West Philippine Sea,” dela Rosa told reporters in an ambush interview prior to the launch of the proclamation rally of Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino at Club Filipino in Geeenhills, San Juan.

“Pro-china? I challenge them, if they want, I will give them a gun and maybe we will attack the bullies in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of its sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the WPS.

China’s claim has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.