Bato plans to visit Duterte in Netherlands

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Thursday that he is planning to visit former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague before or after the May 2025 elections.

“Mag-try ako mag-apply ng Schengen visa. Kung issuehan ako, then maybe kung may pagkakataon, before the elections sana makabisita ako sa kanya…baka before or after elections. Manalo, matalo,” Dela Rosa said in an ambush interview.

(I will try to apply for a Schengen visa. If I will be issued one, then maybe if there is an opportunity ... I hope to visit him before the elections ... maybe before or after the elections, win or lose.)

Asked about the possibility of him being arrested if he visits Duterte in The Hague, Dela Rosa said, “Sige lang kung i-detain nila ako doon (It's OK if they detain me there).”

“Magpunta ako don sa The Hague, mag-wig ako para hindi nila ako makilala doon,” a smiling Dela Rosa added.

( I will wear a wig in The Hague so I won't be recognized.)

Dela Rosa, who earlier described himself as the number two accused in the ICC investigation on Duterte’s drug war, served as the chief of the Philippine National Police 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 is willing to submit himself to authorities and join Duterte in the detention facility of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

Duterte is currently in ICC’s custody in The Hague, Netherlands after Philippine authorities served the warrant of arrest against from the international tribunal. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News