BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa dropped a strong statement this Saturday, throwing his full support behind Senator Imee Marcos’ call to investigate key government officials linked to the controversial arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Dapat mapapanagot kung tunay… kung merong pagkakamali,” dela Rosa declared in Butuan City during a grand PDP Laban rally. Simply put, those responsible must be held accountable if mistakes were indeed made in Duterte’s detention.
The call for an investigation centers on Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Police General Rommel Marbil, and CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III. Senator Imee Marcos already submitted a detailed chairman’s report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to the Office of the Ombudsman. The document alleges that these officials may have committed both criminal and administrative offenses tied to Duterte’s arrest.
The arrest in question took place on March 11 here in the Philippines, capped by a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte is now held at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, facing grave charges of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly war on drugs.
Dela Rosa also addressed remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte, who warned that more arrest warrants—including one possibly targeting him—could soon come from the ICC. “Sige lang. Wala naman tayong magawa diyan. Wala naman tayong control sa ICC,” said dela Rosa, showing calm acceptance over the international proceedings.
Sara Duterte hinted that dela Rosa, along with Senator Bong Go, former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, and police generals Vicente Danao and Romeo Caramat Jr., might be next in line for ICC charges.
When pressed about the possibility of personally answering an ICC summons, dela Rosa smiled and replied with a teasing “Secret!”
Looking ahead, he revealed plans to visit Duterte in The Hague, but only after the national and local elections in 2025 conclude. “Saka pa ako mag-apply ng Schengen visa pagtapos ng eleksyon,” he added with a smirk.
Both dela Rosa and Bong Go are gearing up for their reelection bids in the upcoming midterm polls—a political drama that continues to unfold amid international legal storms.