ICC warrant coming? Bato dares Trillanes: Go ahead, make my day
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa during the public hearing and investigation in the Senate. Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — A fuming Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa couldn’t help but glare at Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday, daring the former senator to personally handcuff him should the International Criminal Court (ICC) begin issuing arrest warrants.
“Go ahead, make my day, Mr. Trillanes! Sige kang ngalngal [nang] ngalngal dyan ng ICC. Sige – go ahead. Kahit sumama ka pa, mag serve ng warrant, ikaw mag posas sa akin,” said dela Rosa in a press briefing.
(Go ahead, make my day, Mr. Trillanes! You keep on yapping about ICC. Go ahead; I don’t care if you join. Join them in serving warrants or put me in handcuffs.)
Dela Rosa was responding to a media query regarding Trillanes’ claims that ICC probers are “expected” to issue an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte and others accused of rights violations during the previous administration’s brutal war on drugs by June or July.
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Former police chief turned politician dela Rosa was the chief implementer of Duterte’s brutal anti-drug war campaign. He is among those mentioned in the crimes against humanity complaint before the ICC.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said his administration will not lift a finger to help the ICC probe. But is dela Rosa anxious that the administration will change its stance?
“I leave my faith to God. Kung anong sabihin ni Lord — na hanggang dyan ka lang… makukulong ka na, wala akong maga[ga]wa. Basta ako, I cannot be remiss of my duty as the chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs. Trabaho ko po ‘yan,” he said.
READ: Dela Rosa: Documents linking Marcos to alleged drug use not fabricated
(I leave my faith to God. Whatever the Lord says—if he says this is where it must end, or I must be jailed, I can’t do anything. As for me, I cannot neglect my duty as the Senate committee chairman on public order and dangerous drugs. That is my job.)
