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Bato dela Rosa says he's ready to join Duterte
By HANA BORDEY,GMA Integrated NewsSenator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday said he was prepared to join former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested on Tuesday morning on a warrant from the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings under the Duterte administration's war on drugs.
Dela Rosa issued the statement even as the Supreme Court said that there was no temporary restraining order immediately issued after he and Duterte filed a petition asking the SC to prohibit government agencies from cooperating with the ICC.
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“If all legal remedies are exhausted and still justice is to no avail, then I don’t want my family to suffer from cops looking for a heartbeat. I am ready to join the old man hoping that they would allow me to take care of him,” Dela Rosa said.
In a phone interview with reporters, Dela Rosa said he would submit himself if the ICC issues a warrant for his arrest.
"I am ready to submit myself to authorities,” the senator said.
Dela Rosa said he already informed his wife about his decision.
He said he had not been hiding from authorities.
Dela Rosa said he was campaigning in the “mountains of Surigao and Agusan” in Mindanao.
He also said he will ask Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero not to surrender him to authorities until the 19th Congress’ session is adjourned.
“Kausapin ko siguro siya(Escudero)…[I will request] na hindi niya muna ako i-surrender hangga’t kaya niya, habang hindi pa kami adjourned. Pwede naman niyang gawin yan,” Dela Rosa said.
“Hangga’t kaya ng Senate President [na] kupkupin muna ako na hindi muna niya ako i-surrender kung may warrant of arrest na [at] may session kami. I hope respetuhin din siya ng execitive branch of government kasi meron naman yang mga ganon na protocol,” he added.
The senator, who earlier described himself as the number two accused in the ICC investigation into Duterte’s drug war, served as the chief of the Philippine National Police when the former president launched his campaign against illegal drugs.
Earlier in the day, the lawyer of the families of the victims of the war on drugs said that the ICC may issue more arrest warrants for the “co-perpetrators” of Duterte.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the personalities who filed a case against Duterte before the ICC, said the additional warrant of arrest may only cover Dela Rosa.
The plane carrying Duterte departed the Philippines on Tuesday evening heading to The Hague in the Netherlands.
The plane arrived in Dubai for a layover early Wednesday. –NB, GMA Integrated News
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