Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa voiced his support for Senator Imee Marcos’ request to have the Office of the Ombudsman investigate government officials allegedly involved in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking at a PDP Laban campaign rally in Butuan City, Dela Rosa said officials must be held accountable if any wrongdoing is proven. “If they made a mistake, they should face the consequences,” he told GMA News Online.
Marcos previously asked the Ombudsman to investigate top officials, including Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, and CIDG Chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, for their roles in Duterte’s March 11 arrest by local authorities on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Duterte is now detained at the ICC’s Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to the controversial drug war during his presidency.
Dela Rosa, himself a former PNP chief and key enforcer of the anti-drug campaign, responded to speculation that he may be next to receive an ICC warrant. “Let it be. We have no control over the ICC,” he said, also jokingly replying “Secret!” when asked if he would willingly go if summoned.
He added that he plans to visit Duterte in The Hague after the 2025 elections, once he applies for a Schengen visa.
Both Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go, also mentioned as potential ICC targets, are seeking reelection in the upcoming midterm polls