Bato dela Rosa on Changing Stand over ICC Arrest: “Sana maintindihan ninyo. I have to survive”

Sen. Bato dela Rosa Defends Change of Stance over ICC Arrest Issue

BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator is asking for understanding for his change of stand over the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest issue saying he needs to survive.

The Filipino populace was left shocked by the turn of events last March 11. Unexpectedly, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

Duterte came from a Thanksgiving event of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Hong Kong. It was supposedly a leg of the PDP-Laban campaign sorties but the Hong Kong authorities did not allow them to campaign in a public assembly.

The unexpected arrest of former Pres. Duterte elicited different reactions from the Filipinos. Former Vice Pres. Leni Robredo said there’s nothing wrong about Duterte’s arrest citing the Supreme Court ruling over the ICC jurisdiction in the country when the alleged crimes were committed.

On the other side, there are those who questioned the legality of the arrest warrant against Duterte as well as the presence of the due process when it was implemented. Senator Imee Marcos believes that there seems to be no due process in the arrest of Duterte.

Senator Bato dela Rosa believes that Pres. Bongbong Marcos allegedly committed a “betrayal to the max” for allowing the government to cooperate on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Following the arrest of the former President, the Senator is also speculated to be the next recipient of an arrest warrant from the ICC.

Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration. The Philippine government and the PNP worked hand in hand in the controversial campaign.

Previously, Sen. Bato dela Rosa said he’s ready to join former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague in case the ICC will issue an arrest warrant against him and all the legal remedies will fail. According to him, he is willing to take care of the former President during their detention.

Sen. Dela Rosa also claimed that he is ready to defend himself before the ICC if his lawyer can’t. However, recently, it seems that the Senator has a change of stand. Dela Rosa confirmed that hiding from the authorities is an option he may consider in the face of an ICC arrest warrant. He stressed that he will not leave the country but he will not allow himself to be arrested.

Recently, Sen. Bato dela Rosa defended his change of stand over the ICC arrest. Based on a report on GMA News, the Senator claimed that he needs to be flexible in dealing with the current situation. He also mentioned Pres. Bongbong Marcos in his defense.

“Nagbago nga si President Marcos ng stand, di ba? Ako pa ‘di magbago ng stand? Dapat flexible ka, huwag kang magpa-fix diyan dahil panahon ng kagipitan ngayon. Marunong dumiskarte dapat,” Dela Rosa said.

According to Sen. Bato dela Rosa, he does not expect justice from the Marcos administration. Based on the report, in a separate statement, he expressed his wish for understanding from the people in dealing with the looming ICC arrest against him.

“Sana maintindihan ninyo. I have to survive. I have to survive all these trials that are thrown before us. Kailangang kung ganito katuso ang gobyerno na kaharap mo, kailangang marunong ka rin mag-adjust,” he said.

Previously, Sen. dela Rosa admitted that he is disappointed over National Security Adviser Eduardo Año for allegedly not telling Duterte about his impending arrest.