Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa at the pro-Duterte rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa confirmed that his security detail has been recalled by the Philippine National Police (PNP) days after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

In a phone patch interview on Tuesday, the embattled lawmaker said he only knew of this when he returned home to Davao City on Monday, March 24. 

“Itong pag uwi ko sa Davao, wala na akong security,” Dela Rosa said. 

“Pinapa-report na lang sila sa unit nila. Hindi ko alam kung kailan sila pina-report ha? Dahil naka-standby ‘man sila dito,” he said. 

Hindi ko alam kasi nag iikot ako. Ngayon, pagdating ko rito, wala na sila. Pina-report na sila,” he said. 

“May tao sila sa akin dahil mainit man ang gobyerno sa akin, ‘di ba? Tapos, malaman na may tao sila sa akin na naka-deploy. Nag iingat sila,” he said. 

Dela Rosa clarified that he has two security details, one in Davao City and one in Manila. The ones recalled were two personnel. 

Friends and former police volunteer 

Soon as news of his security detail having been recalled came out, Dela Rosa said at least 10 of his friends and former colleagues in the police force and the military immediately volunteered to keep him safe while in Davao City. 

The former top cop meanwhile understands that the police are just balancing the situation with their decision to withdraw 

“May tao sila sa akin dahil mainit man ang gobyerno sa akin, ‘di ba? Tapos, malaman na may tao sila sa akin na naka-deploy. Nag iingat sila,” he said. 

The senator just announced changing gears from facing arrest to possibly hiding from it as an answer to President Marcos Jr. ‘s supposed change of position towards the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

This statement earned a rebuke from the Malacanang Palace slamming the lawmaker for evading arrest considering being a former top cop. 

Dela Rosa is also said to be a subject of an arrest warrant from the ICC due to the killings linked to the Duterte’s administration both in Davao City as mayor and the entire country as president. 

Dela Rosa, a former police chief, was the chief architect of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. 

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