Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa confirmed on Wednesday that he remains in the Philippines but refused to disclose his exact whereabouts.
In an Inquirer.net report, dela Rosa was asked about his location. Initially, he declined to answer, saying it was “secret.” However, he later admitted that he had not left the country.
“Dito lang ako. Dito lang sa Pilipinas. Secret tayo. Bakit tayo [aalis] sa Pilipinas?” he said, without giving further details.
His statement comes amid speculation that he is hiding following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, his close ally, who faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa denied going into hiding, insisting he was simply in the country. Previously, he claimed to be campaigning in the mountains of Surigao and Agusan.
Meanwhile, Atty. Kristina Conti, an ICC assistant to counsel, said dela Rosa and former police chief Oscar Albayalde could be next in line for arrest warrants related to their roles in the Duterte administration’s controversial drug war.
