Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in the country, Senator Robin Padilla said on Monday, May 18, but did not go into details.
In a chance interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Senate session, Padilla said Dela Rosa won’t leave the country while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity of murder linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war.
“Hindi gagawin ni Bato ‘yun. Mahal niya ang Pilipinas…’Di aalis iyon,” Padilla said.
[Translation: Bato won’t do that. He loves the country…He won’t leave.]
Padilla did not confirm the information that he was with Dela Rosa the night he fled the Senate building on May 14, less than a day after tensions erupted in the chamber.
“Hintayin na lang natin ‘yung investigation ng mga opisyal,” he said, when pressed by reporters on his supposed involvement in Dela Rosa’s exit.
[Translation: Let’s wait for the investigation from authorities.]
The senator denied reports that he was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after Dela Rosa left the Senate premises, as well as allegations that he and an unnamed politician used a yacht to help the former police chief escape.
The Department of Justice had issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against Dela Rosa. While this does not bar him from leaving the country, authorities can monitor if he’s travelling abroad.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca earlier said Dela Rosa offered PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to be placed under police custody.
Dela Rosa was absent in Monday’s session. He did not attend the session for six months until his sudden appearance on May 11 to vote for Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president — on the day the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
