Bato says US also voided visa of active police general

MANILA, Philippines —Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa whose U.S. visa was canceled, has claimed that an active police general also suffered the same fate.

The former top cop himself made this disclosure two days after he confirmed that his 10-year, multiple-entry tourist visa was canceled.

“(May) isang general din na in-advisan na nakansela na yung visa niya. Kansela talaga ang visa niya,” Dela Rosa told reporters in an interview on Friday.

(There is one general whose U.S. visa was canceled)

“Active pa. Kanselado yung visa niya,” he added.

(The general is still active. The visa was canceled)

The senator, however, did not specify whether or not the said police official had an active role in the administration’s drug war.

Dela Rosa’s role in the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war is seen as a possible reason behind the cancelation of his visa.

But the senator said the U.S. Embassy did not divulge why his visa was canceled.

Dela Rosa said he had received unconfirmed information that a retired police general was held up at the airport due to visa issues.

“May tsismis din ako na isang retired general na-hold sa airport hindi na natuloy dahil hinarang dahil canceled na yung visa niya.,” Dela Rosa told reporters.

(I have information that a retired general was held up at the airport becuase his visa was cancelled)

“Lately lang, nung pag-retire niya, gusto niyang magbakasyon sa Amerika,” he added.

(It happened just recently. He just wanted to take a vacation in America)

Dela Rosa added that the retired police general he was referring to was a regional director during his time as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

“Regional director siya nung pag-upo na pag-upo ko,” (He was a regional director) he said, noting that all regional directors during his time were active in the government’s illegal drug campaign.

The senator also said he received information, which he has yet to verify, that also cancelled were the visas of all regional directors and “key officers” who held high positions during the “initial staging of the drug war.”

“Meron akong balita na lahat ata daw ng naka-pwesto during my time ay na-cancel (ang visa) Di ko lang sigurado. Balita lang…mga RD saka yung mga key officers,” he said.

(I received information that visas of those who held positions during my time were canceled. I’m not sure though).

The cancelation of Dela Rosa’s visa triggered President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to abrogate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VSA) with the United States.

Edited by US