Bato says PNP pulled out his security in Davao City

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said Tuesday the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recalled two security officers who were detailed to his residence in Davao City.

"Itong pag-uwi ko dito sa Davao wala na akong security. Pinapa-report na sila sa unit nila," Dela Rosa told reporters in a phone interview.

(When I returned here in Davao City, my security detail was already gone. They were asked to report to their unit.)

"Nag-iistambay sila dito… Pagdating ko dito wala na sila dahil pina-report na sila," he added.

(They are staying here. When I arrived, they are no longer here because they were told to report to their unit.)

Asked when the members of his security detail left, the senator said, "yesterday."

This developed after former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in accordance with a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dela Rosa also claimed that his security detail was "recalled by the PNP" in a Facebook post Tuesday. Sought for comment, the PNP Public Information Office quoted the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) as saying that the claim was "fake news."

Reacting to this, Dela Rosa said, "Tanungin nila 'yung mga tao nilang dine-deploy sa akin."

(They should ask the personnel who were deployed to me.)

Amid the development, Dela Rosa said he understands the move by the PNP.

"Normal naman 'yan. They can be there, they cannot be there," he said.

(That's normal. They can be there. They cannot be there.)

"Alam mo na 'yung mga commander ng mga pulis nag-ingat din yan. Naintindihan ko sila. Hindi nila ako ginigipit. Nag-iwas lang sila na mamaya magkaproblema sila. So naintindihan ko. Hindi sila kasama sa panggigipit kundi nag-iiwas lang sila na magkaproblema sila," he added.

(The commanders of the police force are just being cautious. I understand them. They are not persecuting me. They are just avoiding possible problems in the future. They are not part of those who are persecuting me, but they are just avoiding conflict.)

According to Dela Rosa, his former colleagues and former subordinates in the PNP offered to replace his security detail after the development.

"When my security details were recalled by the PNP, retired cops and soldiers started volunteering as replacements. They have no firearms but they are equipped with kamote, balanghoy, saging, manok bisaya, and ready to survive with me. Very heartwarming," he said in a separate Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro asked Tuesday where Dela Rosa is. 

''Nasaan po ba kasi si Senator Bato (Where is Senator Bato)?" said Castro.

''Nakikita po ba natin? Hindi ko po alam sorry po. As of the moment, hindi ko po siya nakikita. So, paano po natin siya mabibigyan ng seguridad kung hindi po siya nagpapakita?'' she added.

(Do we see him? I don't know, I'm sorry. As of the moment, I don't see him. So, how can we give him security when we don't see him?)

Dela Rosa, who earlier described himself as the number two accused in the ICC investigation on Duterte's drug war, served as the PNP chief of when the former president launched his campaign against illegal drugs.

The reelectionist senator recently said he is considering hiding and not surrendering in the event authorities implement a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC against him.

Initially, Dela Rosa said he was willing to submit himself to authorities and join Duterte in the detention facility of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

Duterte is currently under ICC custody facing charges of crimes against humanity before the international tribunal.

Based on government records, at least 6,200 people were killed in police operations during Duterte's controversial campaign. Data from human rights groups, however, said the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. — VDV/AOL, GMA Integrated News