Bato says he might hide if arrest warrant comes, won’t surrender to ICC

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the pro-Duterte prayer rally at Liwasang Bonifacio on March 15.

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who earlier said he’d be “ready to join” and “take care” of former President Rodrigo Duterte in prison at The Hague, Netherlands, if after exhausting all legal remedies, justice remains futile, now entertains the possibility of hiding as an option should a warrant for his arrest be issued next by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dela Rosa said he will not surrender to the ICC.

“Well, kung wala tayong makita na na hustisya dito sa ating bansa, bakit ka susuko? ‘Di ba?” Dela Rosa told reporters Wednesday.

“Kasama ‘yan sa kino-consider natin. Kasama ‘yan sa courses of action na pwedeng gawin,” he said.

Asked if he also considers hiding from authorities, he said, “kasama ‘yan, kasama ‘yan. Kasama ‘yan sa courses of action natin.”

Meanwhile the troubled lawmaker expressed gratitude to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for declaring that he will not allow his arrest inside Senate premises, an institutional courtesy accorded by the upper house to all its members.

“I thank the Senate President that he’s willing to protect me while I am still a Senator of this Republic. It shows that the Senate, as an institution, stands for what is right,” he said.

Dela Rosa however said he will not seek refuge in the Senate forever and will continue to exhaust all legal remedies available.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabi na forever akong mag-standby dyan. So, meron pa ring ah kwan, meron pa, hanap pa rin tayong ibang courses of action na pwedeng gawin,” he said.

Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 until 2018, was also the chief architect of Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.

The former president is now in ICC custody and is facing charges for crimes against humanity for deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign.

Thus far, the ICC has identified nine co-perpetrators in the arrest warrant served against Duterte where Dela Rosa’s name was mentioned.

Bato to Torre: Huwag sana tayong magpakalasing sa power

Bato revives death penalty push for drug traffickers

ICC-tagged Bato slams drug ‘resurgence’ like street candies

House Quad Comm recommends filing criminal raps vs Du30, Bato, Go, former top cops