Dela Rosa sorry for dodging calls from Teves: ‘Wag muna, break muna sa communication’

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (Senate PRIB)

Senator  Ronald “Bato” Dela  Rosa  had this to say when he  explained on Tuesday why he has been dodging calls from suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. who has been tagged behind the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Teves is  now  reportedly in Timor Leste (East Timor) seeking asylum.

Last Monday, the suspended lawmaker  made several attempts to talk to  Dela Rosa, who is now leading the  probe on the Degamo killing as chairman of the Senate  committee on public order. 

Dela Rosa said  he did not pick up the calls, saying he prefers to talk to Teves in  person.

“Pasensya ka na Arnie, kaibigan tayo pero wag muna, break muna sa communication  dahil baka mamaya magawan tayo ng  issue dyan.  Kung mag-uusap tayo,  usap tayo dito, magkita tayo. Pasensya ka na Arnie…,” he addressed Teves  in a press briefing.

(I’m sorry, Arnie, we’re friends, but let’s take a break from communication for now because it might become an issue. If we need to talk, let’s talk in person. I’m sorry, Arnie)

“Ayokong magawan  ng issue . I want to stay as clean as I can be,”  added Dela Rosa,  who served as the first  Philippine National Police chief of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

The  public order panel, which will resume its  probe on Wednesday,  earlier rejected   Teves’ appeal to virtually participate in the proceeding.

Dela Rosa insisted that  the investigation  is in aid of legislation and could not be used by Teves as a basis for seeking asylum in other countries.

Nine others were killed when Degamo was gunned down attending to his constituents  inside  his residence in Barangay Isidro, Pamplona town.

 gsg