Bato considers ‘courses of action’ vs ICC arrest: ‘Hiding, not surrendering’

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he is considering different courses of action should an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) be issued against him.

Dela Rosa confirmed that among the actions he is considering are hiding from authorities and staying within the Senate premises to seek protection through the chamber’s institutional courtesy.

“Magandang option iyan para sakin dahil nga hindi ka nila puwedeng huliin kapagka nand’yan sa loob at dapat respetuhin nila ‘yung Senate as an institution (It would be a good option for me because they cannot arrest anyone inside the premises and they should respect Senate as an institution),” he told Senate reporters in a phone interview on Wednesday.

“Kasama 'yan sa kino-consider natin. Kasama 'yan sa courses of action na pwedeng gawin (That's part of what we're considering. It's one of the courses of action that could be taken),” he further said when asked if he is considering hiding from authorities.

Dela Rosa refused to further elaborate on his plans but cited the military strategies and principles of war.

“Kung wala tayong Makita na hustiya dito sa ating bansa, bakit ka susuko? Diba? Titingnan natin kung may glimmer of hope na ‘yung Supreme Court ay talagang paninindigan niya yung kanyang sa pagiging independent at kung may tatayo din sa Senate sa kung anong dapat (If we can’t find justice here in our country, why would we surrender? Right? We’ll see if there’s a glimmer of hope that the Supreme Court will truly stand firm in its independence and if anyone in the Senate will also stand up for what should be done),” he said.

“Then I will evaluate. I've said, I will cross the bridge when I get them,” he added.

While considering going into hiding, Dela Rosa clarified that he would not resist arrest.

“Paano mo labanan ang (How can you fight against) Philippine National Police? I know what’s the power, and the might of Philippine National Police because I’ve been the chief of the PNP, I know how to do it. So bakit ka pa manlaban? It’s useless ko manlaban ka pa sa kanila (So why fight? It’s useless if you fight back against them),” he said.

Further, Dela Rosa clarified that he doesn’t intend to stay in the Senate indefinitely.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabi na forever akong mag-standby dyan. So, meron pa ring ah kwan, meron pa, hanap pa rin tayong ibang courses of action na pwedeng gawin (I’m not saying I’ll stay there forever. We are still exploring other courses of action that could be taken),” he said.