Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday expressed utter disappointment on the arrest of the man he faithfully served as the country’s chief law enforcer, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III served on Tuesday the arrest warrant to Duterte at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon the former president’s arrival from Hong Kong. The arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Durerte’s alleged crimes against humanity over his war on drugs campaign.
Later that day, the former president was forcibly whisked and flown to The Hague, Netherlands along with former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“Halong galit at kalungkutan ‘yung ating nararamdaman…It’s tearing me apart na makakita ng gano’ng klaseng scenario. Malungkot po tayo. We feel betrayal to the max na nangyayari sa atin,” dela Rosa said.
A staunch ally of the Dutertes, dela Rosa said he was expecting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a man of his words.
Last year, Marcos reiterated that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
This after the Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute, the framework forming the ICC, in March 2019.
Marcos then a senator, was among the lawmakers who voted for the ratification of the Rome Statute in 2011.
On Wednesday, the President reaffirmed that the arrest of the former president complied with the Philippines’ commitment to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
“I expect our sitting President to be a man of his words at hindi po betrayal ang ipapakita niya sa kanyang mga kababayan at sa kanyang bansa. Gano’n na lang niya i-surrender ‘yung soberanya ng ating bansa doon sa foreign entities na ‘yan,” dela Rosa said.
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed sadness of what’s happening to the former president.
“Sobrang malungkot ako ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. Para akong nawalan ng isang tatay,” he said.
Go said despite what’s happening, service to the Filipinos must continue.
“Lagi kong tinatandaan ang sinabi sa akin ni Tatay Digong: “Just do what is right. Unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin ang kapwa Pilipino, at hinding-hindi ka magkakamali dyan,” Go said.
