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Bato's US visa canceled? 'Meron tsismis pero wala pang official,' he says


As early as the first half of the year, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has already received information that his US visa has been canceled.

However, he has yet to receive any notification from the US government.

“Wala pang information. Meron akong tsismis (na narinig) pero 'yung official from the US authorities, wala pa akong natanggap,” Dela Rosa told reporters on Monday when asked regarding the matter.

He said he might write a letter to the US Embassy to get official confirmation.

“Officially baka magpadala ako ng letter,” the senator said.

Asked where he got the unofficial information, Dela Rosa said he has sources because he was a former police official.

“(Former) chief PNP (Philippine National Police) ako eh. Marami naman tayo kaibigan sa Embassy na natulungan din natin, na loyal din sa atin dahil natulungan natin. So dumating sa akin. Taga-loob pero ‘di nga opisyal,” he said.

Although he has yet to get official information, Dela Rosa admitted that he was hurt at the possibility of the cancellation of his US visa.

“Sino ba masaya na hindi ko mabisita kapatid ko sa Amerika, mga pamangkin ko? Kapag may laban si Senator (Manny) Pacquiao hindi na ako makapanood? So masama ang loob ko,” he said.

Earlier reports said the senator’s visa was canceled because of his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.

Dela Rosa denied this.

“If that is true, they are very biased, they are misinformed, misled by their informants. Ako ba ay nag-encourage na patayin ang mga drug suspect? Ako ba ay nag-utos na patayin? Ako ba ay nag-cover up sa mga ginagawang kalokohan ng mga pulis?” he said.

Asked if he would appeal the visa cancellation, if it is true, the senator said he might do so, but he has apprehensions.

“Kung puwede. Pero kung ayaw nila, wala naman tayo magawa. Magmukha bang kawawa ang Republika ng Pilipinas na kung ang isang senador mag-apela na papasukin n’yo ako diyan muli. Kung mukha tayong kawawa, hindi na lang siguro ako mag-apela,” he said. —KG, GMA News

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