MANILA — Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa’s vow to evade arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sparked a wave of criticism, with political commentators, activists, and social media users accusing him of running scared despite his previous statements that he would stand his ground against the ICC.

Journalist Philip Ilustre Jr. criticized Dela Rosa, saying, “Matapang lang siya sa mga mahihirap, walang lakas, at walang poder. Pero takot din siya makulong. Pilit na nagtatago upang hindi managot sa maraming kahayupan at walang awang pagpatay sa mga mahihirap, at walang lakas.”

Political commentator Gerry Cacanindin was even more blunt: “Digong arrested. Harry Roque on the run. Bato iyakin pa rin. When is this guy going to be arrested?”

Claro C. taunted Dela Rosa, saying, “Come on Bato, make my day! Manlaban ka rin para matapos na pagtatago mo,” referencing the infamous police defense that suspects fought back, or “nanlaban,” which was often used to justify killings during the drug war.

Tagapagmulat Gin Laroza mocked Dela Rosa’s apparent paranoia. Reacting to reports that the senator was considering disguises to avoid capture, Laroza quipped: “Bato said disguise might not help him evade arrest since people still know him.”

“When asked about his strategy so he will not be arrested once the warrant is released: ‘Wag tatanga-tanga,’” Laroza added, pointing out that the senator himself admitted disguises wouldn’t help him hide.

Sen. Dela Rosa Remains Defiant Amid Calls for Surrender to ICC

“As much as possible, hindi na ’ko magpapahuli,” Dela Rosa declared Tuesday, saying he would avoid situations where authorities could detain him.

His defiant stance comes after his former boss, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on March 11 and is now being held at an ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa, who spearheaded the brutal drug war, insists he does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.

“Kung maipit ako, ’di maaresto nila ako. Pero kung hindi nila ako maipit, hindi nila ako maaresto,” he added.

Dela Rosa’s Disguise Fails

Dela Rosa admitted he has been experimenting with disguises to stay under the radar—but they don’t seem to be working.

“Nag-cap-cap ako, nag-jacket ako, nag-mask-mask ako. Nakita ko lang isang tao doon sa Bicol. Sabi sa akin nung tao nagbibenta doon sa Bicol ng kamote, ’Kilala kita. Si Bato ka, si Bato ka.’”

The former police chief said he had no choice but to buy kamote (sweet potatoes) from the vendor to keep him quiet.

Flip-Flopping on the ICC

Dela Rosa’s stance on the ICC has shifted dramatically.

Initially, he claimed he would join Duterte if all legal options failed. “I am ready to join the old man hoping that they would allow me to take care of him,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

But this has changed, and Bato has an explanation. “Ngayon tinanong ako bakit daw ako nagbago, nagbago ng stand. Eh bakit hindi ako pwede magbago? Nagbago nga si President Duterte. Nagbago nga siya ng stand, di ba?” he reasoned.

Seeking ‘Senate Protection,’ Insists on Surrendering Only to Local Authorities

Dela Rosa insists he will only surrender if arrested by local authorities, not the ICC.

“Kung ang hawak nilang warrant of arrest ay issued by local court, ’yan, pwede ako magpaaresto. Pero kung hawak na ng warrant of arrest ay galing sa ICC, hindi ako magpaaresto.”

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