MANILA, Philippines – Neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday apologized for his “shit happens” remark on the death of a three year-old girl during a drug buy-bust operation, saying it was a wrong choice of words.

“I apologize to the family for the comment na nasabi ko,” Dela Rosa said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

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“Well what I meant by the expression ‘shit happens,’ ibig ko sabihin non, siguro wrong choice of words lang ‘yung sa akin. But the expression was there. Dapat sinabi ko pala unfortunate incidents do happen (It was a case of wrong choice of words. I should have said: unfortunate incidents do happen),” he explained.

“Pasensya na po kung nasaktan ko ‘yung pamilya. Wala naman po gustong may mamatay (I apologize if I offended the family),” he added.

Dela Rosa was referring to his comment on the death of three-year-old Myca Ulpina, who was killed during a drug operation in Rodriguez, Rizal.

“Sino bang may gusto…? Ikaw ba, pulis ka gusto mo may bata tamaan? Kasi ikaw may anak ka rin, hindi mo gustong may mangyari na ganun. Pero shit happens. During operation, shit happens (If you are a police officer, would you want a child to be hit during an operation? You and I have children, and no one wants that to happen, but shit happens),” Dela Rosa earlier said.

READ: ‘Bato’ defends police in Rodriguez bust shootout: Did slain cop shoot self?

Several senators frowned on Dela Rosa’s comment, including Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who said “nonchalance has no place in this situation.”

Opposition Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros likewise lamented Dela Rosa’s remark. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

READ: Senators frown on Dela Rosa’s ‘shit happens’ remark

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