Bato hits Palace for ICC arrest remark, won’t attend SONA

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa took offense at a remark by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin suggesting that he could be arrested if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant against him.

In an interview with Japan-based Kyodo News, Bersamin said the Philippine government will treat Dela Rosa the same way it handled the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested and turned over to the ICC in March.

“If they want to commit the same mistake again, then go ahead,” Dela Rosa told reporters in a phone interview on Thursday, July 17.

Duterte’s allies have decried what they described as the “extraordinary rendition” of the former president, claiming he was handed over to a foreign jurisdiction without due process. However, Malacañang has insisted that the arrest and turnover were lawful.

When asked to comment on Bersamin’s statement, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace has not received any official communication regarding warrants for Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges related to alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs. Dela Rosa, as the former chief of the Philippine National Police, was a key implementer of said campaign.

Asked if he has received any information about a possible arrest, Dela Rosa said he had not. He further alleged that the Palace is using his case to divert public attention from recent controversies, particularly the one linking First Lady Liza Marcos to the death by drug overdose of a Filipino business executive.

“‘Yan naman mahilig ang mga tao diyan sa Malacañang. Gagawa ng panibagong issue kahit old issue, irerecycle nila, to divert people’s attention,” he said.

[Translation: People in Malacañang are fond of recycling old issues just to divert public attention.]

Dela Rosa also confirmed he will skip President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), scheduled for July 28 before a joint session of Congress.

“Alangan naman pupunta ko na pa-smile-smile kahit na masama ang loob ko sa kanila?” Dela Rosa said.

“Hindi naman lahat ng congressman pero may mga congressman doon na na masama ang loob ko at meron ding mga tao sa Malacanang na masama ang loob ko. So bakit ako magkipagplastikan?” he added.

[Translation: Why would I attend and pretend to smile when I’m deeply hurt by them? It’s not all congressmen, but there are some I’m displeased with. The same goes for certain people in Malacañang. So why should I pretend?]