Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday said he would seek refuge in the Senate for as long as it can protect him from the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid reports of an arrest warrant against him.
“If the warrant is out and the government will arrest me, I will avail of the protection that is going to be afforded to me by the Senate as an institution,” Dela Rosa said in an interview.
“If the (Senate) says you have to surrender yourself, then I will turn myself in peacefully,” he added.
Dela Rosa told ANC that Senate President Francis Escudero promised to “protect” him for as long as the Senate is allowed to.
“He said don’t worry, I will do everything I can as your Senate President, I can give you the protection hanggang kaya nya,” he said.
Dela Rosa expressed sadness after former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and sent to ICC to face crimes against humanity charges over his anti-illegal drug war campaign.
Earlier in the day, Dela Rosa made his first public appearance in Davao City days after being allegedly incommunicado following Duterte’s arrest.
Dela Rosa has not been seen since Tuesday, when authorities arrested Duterte and handed him to the Interpol and flown to The Netherlands the same day.
The senator, who is also being investigated by the ICC for his role in Dutertes drug war, addressed Duterte supporters in Davao City.
Dela Rosa also refuted social media posts that claimed he was already in hiding.
“I can hide, I can run. I can tell you 100 percent that they will not be able to arrest me, napakalaki ng Pilipinas kapag ako’y gustong magtago… But I don’t want my family to be harassed,” he said.