Bato Dela Rosa: “May dala akong P11,000 at hinold ako ng immigration dahil akala nila OFW”
BATO DELA ROSA – The senator recalled being held by immigration officers for bringing P11,000 abroad, likely believing he was a construction worker.
Ronald Marapon Dela Rosa also known as Bato is a retired police officer who is currently serving as a senator of the Philippines since 2019. He also served as the chief of the Philippine National Police from July 1, 2016, to April 19, 2018, and as Director-General of the Bureau of Corrections from April 30 to October 12, 2018.
Dela Rosa was nicknamed “Bato” during his first assignment in Davao when his upperclassmen likened his body to rock. He was supposed to run for president in the previous election but a month later after filing his candidacy, he decided to withdraw.
In a senate plenary, Bato Dela Rosa recalled the time he was held by immigration officers for carrying over P10k abroad. At that time, he was a colonel and was going to Taiwan along with former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was the mayor of Davao City.
Dela Rosa shared this experience on Monday evening as his colleagues were debating in the plenary about the fake electronic arrival card (Ecard) and some outdated rules that customs and immigration agents at the airport are still enforcing.
“Alam mo yung P10,000, naging biktima ako nyan kasi nung bumyahe ako sa Taiwan, may dala akong P11,000 at hinold ako ng immigration dahil akala nila OFW (overseas Filipino worker) ako. Baka akala nila construction worker ako ba na pupunta ako doon, hinold ako,” Dela Rosa said.
He claimed that Duterte had to inform immigration officials that he was accompanying Dela Rosa in order for him to be freed. In other nations, passengers are required to report if they are bringing money that is more than US$10,000, according to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was presiding over the meeting.
Joel Villanueva, the majority leader in the Senate, chimed in, pointing out that travelers are only required to notify authorities rather than being forbidden from bringing in the specified amount. The discussion was started by Senator Pia Cayetano, who alerted her colleagues to a fake website that demanded users pay $70 for an Ecard. She promised to make a privileged speech on this subject.
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