Sen. Bato dela Rosa Mentioned in Briefer of ICC Charges vs. Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator who was the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief during the Duterte administration claimed that he is “ready” if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant.
Despite the postponement of the confirmation of charges hearing, the ICC revealed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is faced with three (3) counts of murder as “crimes against humanity” which cited the periods when he was Davao City Mayor and during his term as president. The confirmation of charges hearing which was initially set on September 23 was postponed after Duterte’s lawyer claimed that he is allegedly “unfit to stand trial”.
According to British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the former President is allegedly unable to recall places, events, and even members of his family. He asked the ICC to adjourn all the legal proceedings pertaining to his client’s case indefinitely. He also expressed his hope that the Marcos Jr. administration will allow Duterte’s return to the Philippines for his interim release.
The ICC prosecution panel opposed Duterte’s interim release claiming that his continued detention is necessary. Despite the confirmation of charges hearing’s postponement, a copy of the redacted briefer on the charges filed by the ICC prosecution against the former President was posted.
In the said ICC charges briefer, “Dela Rosa” and “Aguirre” were mentioned. While their first names were not stated, it was mentioned that Dela Rosa was chief of the Philippine National Police. During the Duterte admin, the first PNP chief was Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa is one of the known loyal allies of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He is also a member of the so-called Duterte bloc in the Senate. According to him, he is allegedly the number two person that the ICC wants to investigate over the drug war of the previous admin.
Recently, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Sen. Bato dela Rosa claimed that he is “ready” in case the ICC will issue an arrest warrant against him. His recent stance came after a series of changing claims over the possible warrant of arrest from the foreign court.
“I am ready. I am ready,” Sen. Bato dela Rosa said.
Based on the report, Sen. Bato dela Rosa also reacted to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s claim that officials of the Philippine Embassy allegedly entered the ICC detention center with the reason of a “welfare check” and interviewed former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. The Senator explained the side of the Duterte camp.
“Hindi mo maiwasan sa’min na sa side ng mga Duterte na pagdududa. Di naman natin talagang sinasabi na masasamang tao yung pumunta doon kung sila ay totoong officials ng Philippine Embassy pero hindi mo lang talagang maiwasan na magduda,” the Senator said.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa also raised questions if former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte would even want to be visited from the very government that sent him to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. According to him, he does not think that the former President is in favor of it.
Previously, following the disclosure of the charges filed against the former President, former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima said that Duterte’s “co-conspirators will follow him to The Hague soon”.