Bato to Digong on his birthday: Pakatatag lang tayo, majority of Filipinos want to bring you home

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa declared that he is prepared to join former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands. Duterte was arrested on Tuesday on a warrant from the International Criminal Court in connection with the killings linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

Dela Rosa, a longtime ally and former police chief under Duterte, urged the former president to stay strong and remain hopeful, even as he marks his 80th birthday in detention at The Hague.

"Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanya ay itong lahat ng mga pagsubok na ito ngayon ay malalampasan natin ito. Malalampasan ito. Walang permanent sa mundong ibabaw. Everything is temporary. So magpakatatag lang tayo, laban lang, at huwag mag-surrender," Dela Rosa said.

The Mindanaoan lawmaker reminded Duterte of the strong support he continues to receive, saying even Filipinos in other parts of Europe have shown solidarity with him in the Netherlands.

“Huwag siyang sumuko sa laban. Laban lang because… the majority of the Filipino people, even those who are outside of the Philippines, other parts of the universe ay nandoon at nakikiramay sa kanya at gustong-gustong maibalik siya dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

The reelectionist senator said he will try to find a way to communicate with the former president on his birthday to express his support for his longtime ally.