Bato on Duterte’s 80th birthday: ‘Laban lang’

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa advised former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands to remain strong and keep on fighting as the latter is set to mark his 80th birthday on March 28, Friday.

Dela Rosa, a reelectionist and longtime ally of Duterte, said that he will try to find a way to communicate with the former president on his birthday to express his support to him.

“Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanya ay itong lahat ng mga pagsubok na ito ngayon ay malalampasan natin ito. Malalampasan ito. Walang permanent sa mundong ibabaw. Everything is temporary. So magpakatatag lang tayo, laban lang, at huwag mag-surrender,” the lawmaker said. 

(I want to tell him that we will be able to overcome all these challenges. We will get through this. Nothing is permanent on earth. Everything is temporary. So just be strong, keep on fighting, and never surrender.) 

“Huwag siyang sumuko sa laban. Laban lang because… the majority of the Filipino people,  even those who are outside of the Philippines, other parts of the universe ay nandoon at nakikiramay sa kanya at gustong-gustong maibalik siya dito sa Pilipinas,” he added. 

(Don't give up the fight. Keep on fighting because the majority of Filipinos, even those who are outside the Philippines, sympathize with him and want him to return to the Philippines.) 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been preparing for the security of the birthday rally for Duterte in Davao del Norte on Friday.

According to PDP Laban, rallies and motorcades will also be held in various parts of the Philippines and in other countries to celebrate Duterte’s 80th birthday. 

Authorities on March 11 assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in serving a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his deadly drug war.

After his arrest, Duterte was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands.

Duterte on March 13 (Philippine time) entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for September 23, 2025. —RF, GMA Integrated News