Statement of Malacañang on Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s Arrest Rumors
MALACAÑANG – The Palace broke its silence on the circulating rumors that Senator Bato dela Rosa has allegedly been arrested.
The rumors that Sen. Bato dela Rosa has allegedly been arrested gathered various opinions. The said rumors was triggered when former presidential spokesman Harry Roque stated in a social media post that someone supposedly betrayed Senator Bato. The Senator who was the first chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration was tagged as an alleged co-perpetrator of the former President in the drug war.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court for more than a year now. It was last March 2025 when he was arrested by the Philippine authorities ‘in lieu of the commitment’ with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
On the same day that Duterte was arrested, he was flown en route to The Hague, Netherlands for the transfer of his custody to the ICC. The former President remains under the custody of the foreign court for over a year now.
Amid the criticisms, Malacañang defended Pres. Bongbong Marcos saying that the government only did what it needs to do in lieu of its international commitment. On the backlash that asserts Duterte being a Filipino citizen, the Palace stressed that he is a Filipino who is facing accusations in another country.
Recently, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro spoke on the rumors that Sen. Bato dela Rosa has allegedly been arrested. Based on News5, the Palace official encouraged the public to determine the motive behind the rumors.
“Bago po ang ating mga kababayan na maniwala sa mga usap-usapan, alamin natin yung source? Ano ang motibo ng mga nagpapakalat?” Castro said.
Atty. Claire Castro further said that the claims of Atty. Jimmy Bondoc and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque supposedly have no content and context. According to the Malacañang official, it is allegedly a diversionary tactic of the allies of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
“Timing ang ginagawa nila… para matabunan ang mga naisawalat ng COA patungkol sa mga walang resibo na paggasta milyon-milyong pisong confidential funds ni VP Sara sa OVP at DepEd. Makikita ang motibo sa ginagawang diversionary tactic ng mga kaalyado ni VP Sara,” the Malacañang press Undersecretary added based on the report.
Recently, Harry Roque made another post about Sen. Bato dela Rosa following his previous post wherein he claimed that someone has allegedly betrayed the Senator.