By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, on Wednesday, March 12, expressed support for Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and took his thoughts to his official Facebook account regarding the recent happenings.
“If all legal remedies are exhausted and justice is still to no avail, then I do not want my family to suffer from cops looking for a heartbeat,” dela Rosa said, recalling the 2024 Philippine National Police’s operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City.
Dela Rosa said he is ready to join the former Chief Executive, who was arrested on Tuesday on a warrant from the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings under the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. He added that he hopes they will allow him to care for the man.
“I am ready to join the old man, hoping they will allow me to care for him,” dela Rosa said.
The senator made the statement despite the Supreme Court clarifying that no temporary restraining order was issued following his and Duterte’s petition seeking to prevent government agencies from cooperating with the ICC.
Dela Rosa, who earlier described himself as the second primary figure in the ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war, was the PNP’s chief during the former president’s anti-drug campaign. He is frequently regarded as the key enforcer of the drug war.
Vice President Sara Duterte earlier criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s administration for surrendering former President Duterte to the ICC, calling it a violation of his fundamental rights and an “affront” to the country’s sovereignty.
“Our government has surrendered a Filipino citizen — even a former President — to foreign powers. This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation’s independence,” Vice President Duterte said.
Vice President Duterte said his father had been denied his fundamental rights since he was taken, as he has not been brought before any competent judicial authority to assert his rights and to allow him to avail of reliefs provided by law.
“This act shows the world that this government is willing to abandon its citizens and betray the essence of our sovereignty and national dignity,” Vice President Duterte said in her press release.
