Sen. Bato dela Rosa admits receiving leaked information on Duterte’s arrest warrant but insists the arrest was illegal
Cena de Guzman-Trinidad March 16, 2025 at 07:10 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa admitted that he received leaked information about the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This revelation led the senator to skip the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) event in Hong Kong last weekend.
“Hindi ako sumama sa Hong Kong dahil sa gabi na iyon, alas-tres ng madaling araw dapat ang biyahe papuntang Hong Kong, pero mayroong nag-leak sa akin ng information,” Dela Rosa said.
He explained that he was informed that both he and Duterte would be arrested upon their return from Hong Kong.
Dela Rosa said he immediately called former Executive Secretary (ES) Salvador Medialdea to inform him about the warrant and decided, “hindi na ako hahabol diyan. Aasikasuhin ko na lang yung petition natin dito, petition for certiorari and prohibition.”
However, the warrant issued by the ICC was solely for Duterte. Dela Rosa remained unreachable to the media while the former president was being arrested.
Over the weekend, just days after Duterte’s arrest, Dela Rosa joined supporters at Liwasang Bonifacio in calling for the former president’s release.
During his speech at the gathering, he insisted that the ICC’s arrest warrant was illegal and did not come from a competent authority.
“Lahat ng ginagawa nila ay iligal. Kasi yung warrant of arrest na kanilang sineserve sa atin, hindi ‘yan nanggagaling sa competent authority,” Dela Rosa said, adding, “hindi ‘yan nanggagaling sa local (courts) natin. Hindi ‘yan na-recognize natin dahil hindi tayo under sa kanila.”
The senator also criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to allow Duterte’s arrest.
“Presidente ka ng Pilipinas, magpa-pressure ka sa Interpol,” Dela Rosa said.
“Laging sinasabi ni President Marcos hindi namin ni-recognize ang ICC kasi di kami miyembro. Hindi kami nagco-coordinate sa ICC. Anong ginawa ng Pangulong Marcos? Interpol,” he added.
Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), further questioned the justification for the arrest.
“Alam ko anong papel ng Interpol sa mundo. Huwag niyo akong lokohin. Commitment sa Interpol?” he said.
However, Marcos Jr. defended the decision, stating that Duterte’s arrest was in line with the country’s commitments to Interpol.
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