Sen. Bato dela Rosa Speaks on Potential Arrest Warrant from ICC Anew
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator claimed that he is ready to go to The Hague, Netherlands “anytime” if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant against him.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands for more than a month due to an alleged crimes against humanity. Last March 11, following his arrest, he was immediately flown abroad for the transfer of his custody to the ICC.
Following the arrest of the former President, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte immediately flew to the Netherlands for her father. She stayed at the Hague for more than three (3) weeks to finalize the ICC legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. When the Vice President returned to the country, it was Duterte’s partner, Honeylet Avanceña, who was left there and she waited for the arrival of her stepson, Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte.
Honeylet has returned to the Philippines. Cong. Paolo Duterte who called his father’s ICC detention facility as his “retirement home” will stay at the Hague until a day before the May 2023 Elections in the Philippines. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte intends to return to the Netherlands.
One of the senators who previously expressed a desire to visit former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the Netherlands is Sen. Bato dela Rosa. The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief previously tagged himself as the number two suspect in the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.
Amid a potential ICC arrest warrant against him, Sen. Bato dela Rosa has changed his stance several times. Previously, he expressed his willingness to join Duterte in The Hague and take care of the former President then he also claimed that he will not allow himself to be arrested. He affirmed that hiding from the authorities is something that he may consider.
Recently, at a campaign sortie in Iloilo, Sen. Bato dela Rosa has once again changed his stance on the possible ICC arrest. The Senator who was the PNP chief during the implementation of the drug war is seeking reelection this May 2025 Midterm polls. Based on a report on GMA News, he claimed that he is ready to be arrested if a warrant will be issued against him.
“Kaya ako, I’m ready to go anytime. Ang buhay ko’y nakataya na, naka-kasa na. Anytime, pwede akong mamalasin dahil sa aking adbokasiya na ito. Pero never si Bato aatras sa laban na ito, I tell you,” he said.
Based on the report, Sen. Bato dela Rosa also expressed that there’s nothing he can do if it is his fate. According to him, what is important is he did what he needed to do during his life in this world.
“Anong magagawa ko kung ayan ang kapalaran ko? Basta ang importante, nagawa ko ang dapat gawin habang ako ay buhay dito sa mundo. Ginawa ko ‘yung war on drugs, ginawa namin ang lahat,” Dela Rosa expressed.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa is one of the senatorial candidates supported by Duterte’s PDP Laban. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also endorses the PDP Laban bets, Sen. Imee Marcos, and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar.