MANILA — Reelectionist Senator Ronald dela Rosa has no regrets over the controversial drug war he led under former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

"Hindi ako nagsisisi. In fact, nagpapasalamat pa ako." Dela Rosa said, "Wala akong babaguhin. Kaya nga ako naging senador dahil doon sa drug war. Di ba? So... Ganun,” he said.

Dela Rosa dismissed claims that thousands died under that campaign. "Sinasabi lang nila yan,” he said.

"Actually, ang official data ay 6,000 plus lang. Kahit na 6,000, marami pa rin yan. ‘di ba, But then again, alam mo, kung hindi mo seryosohin yung war on drugs, walang war na mangyayari. Patuloy ang drugs. Walang war. So, kailangan talagang, alam mo na, seryosohin,” Dela Rosa added.

Dela Rosa also clarified a 2019 statement after an anti-illegal drug operation resulted in the death of a 3-year-old where he was quoted to have said, "sh*t happens."

"Talaga naman, shit happens," Dela Rosa said.

"I don't, I am not referring to the child. I am referring to the operation. Yung operation na pumalpak, na tinamaan yung bata. Hindi ko sinasabing shit yung bata. Sh*t yung operation. Sh*t happens,” he added.

He said he investigated the police officers in the incident, and they faced charges. But he said he didn't know if he was able to talk to the family of the child who died.

Dela Rosa said the drug war was launched out of genuine care for the people.

"Alam mo, kung heartless ako, Karen, hindi kami nag-launch ng war on drugs. Kung heartless ako, kaya namin ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte yun dahil mahal na mahal namin ang kabataan, na maisalba ang kabataan sa problema sa illegal na droga. Kung wala akong pakialam, ano pakialam ko? Chief PNP ako? After that mag-retire ako? May retirement ako? Bakit pa ako papasok sa problema? Dahil iniisip namin ang future generation ng Pilipinas. Kasi kung hindi natin gawin ang war on drugs, magkakaroon tayo ng mga politiko. Balang araw, magkakaroon tayo ng presidente na adik. Pero hindi mo pigilan yan dahil ang droga, grabing kalat ng droga,” Dela Rosa said.