Where is Sen. Bato? Palace asks amid reported recall of his security detail

''Nasaan po ba kasi si Senator Bato (Where is Senator Bato)?''

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro asked the question Tuesday following the recall of two security officers of Senator Ronald ''Bato'' Dela Rosa. 

''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?'' Castro said. 

(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?)

Earlier, Dela Rosa said the Philippine National Police has recalled two security officers detailed to his residence in Davao City.

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) due to crimes against humanity. 

When asked for comment, the PNP Public Information Office quoted the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) as saying that the claim was "fake news."

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 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.—AOL, GMA Integrated News