Dela Rosa on avoiding ICC arrest: ‘Don’t be stupid, don’t get cornered’

Sen. Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa | (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — “Huwag patanga-tanga (Don’t be stupid).”

These were the words of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa when asked on Tuesday how one could avoid being cornered and arrested by authorities.

In a phone interview with reporters, the senator said he would only surrender if he had no other choice and was completely cornered.

“Former President Duterte was cornered when he was in the tube. How can he evade arrest if he’s in the tube?” said dela Rosa.

READ: Bato Dela Rosa vows to evade ICC arrest: ‘I won’t let them’

The former President was arrested on March 11, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his return from Hong Kong based on a warrant issued by ICC, charging him with crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his presidency.

Dela Rosa was asked if he intended to hide in the mountains, but he denied any such plans.

When pressed about whether he would take refuge in the alleged secret bunker of the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao City, Dela Rosa simply laughed.

“Secret, but that’s part of my strategy,” said dela Rosa.

READ: Bato dela Rosa, et. al: Cast of characters in Duterte drug war

Dela Rosa is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his role in Duterte’s bloody drug war.

As Duterte’s former top cop, Dela Rosa issued Command Memorandum Circular No. 16-2016 upon assuming office as PNP chief.

The memo was the basis for Project Double Barrel that started Duterte’s war on drugs which was later on dubbed as “Oplan Tokhang.

Atty. Kristina Conti, an ICC assistant to counsel, earlier told INQUIRER.net that after Duterte, dela Rosa and retired police chief Oscar Albayalde could be the next to receive arrest warrants from the ICC for crimes against humanity over their roles in the previous administration’s drug war.