Bato denies hiding, ready to join Rody

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa has finally broken his silence following Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, saying he is willing to join the former president at the detention facility in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the Supreme Court (SC) denied their petition for an immediate temporary restraining order.

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Dela Rosa went online yesterday to dispel rumors that he has gone into hiding amid speculations that he is next to be ordered arrested by the ICC for crimes against humanity.

"If all legal remedies are exhausted and still, justice is to no avail, then I don't want my family to suffer from cops looking for a heartbeat," Dela Rosa said in his Facebook post.

"I am ready to join the old man hoping that they would allow me to take care of him," he added.

He said it was “injustice” for the administration to justify handing over Duterte to the ICC, using a “flimsy alibi” of complying with obligations to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

“It seems the government is more excited to arrest president Duterte than the ICC itself. They are more excited to arrest Duterte and surrender him to a foreign body than to the local courts,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino by phone.

“I feel betrayed. Betrayed to the max,” he added.

Dela Rosa also rejected the notion that he would evade his arrest warrant, affirming that he is prepared to surrender if a warrant is issued.

He clarified that while the SC denied his request for immediate TRO, he was given a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice to file comment and justify his petition.

“I can run. The Philippines is (big enough) for me to hide. I can run and I can use some connections to hide,” Dela Rosa said. “I will lead a normal life unless a warrant is served. If it is served, then I’m ready. I’m ready to submit myself to the authorities.”

His statements came after his sudden and unusual disappearance raised concerns among the public and lawmakers.

Dela Rosa was conspicuously absent during events involving Duterte, such as a meeting with overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong and Duterte’s arrival at the airport before being taken into custody.