Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has accused investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC) of allegedly pressuring retired police officers into signing affidavits that implicate him and former President Rodrigo Duterte in the ongoing crimes against humanity probe.
In an ABS-CBN News report, Dela Rosa said—without presenting evidence—that ICC personnel are conducting operations from a hotel in Pasay City, supposedly as part of efforts tied to the Hague-based tribunal’s investigation into the deadly drug war.
“[N]andiyan ngayon sa mga hotel diyan sa Pasay na nananakot sa mga retired na mga pulis na pinipilit nila mag-sign ng affidavit na ididiin na kami ni Pangulong Duterte,” said the senator, who served as the chief of the Philippine National Police under Duterte’s term.
He added that the officers were being intimidated, describing them as victims of external pressure. “Tinatakot ‘yung mga pulis natin… Kawawa nga ang mga pulis eh,” he said.
In response, Dela Rosa revealed plans to initiate a Senate hearing to look into what he called betrayal by fellow Filipinos. “Magka-conduct kami ng hearing at ‘yung mga tao na involved diyan, ‘yung mga Pilipino na mga taksil sa ating soberanya ay mananagot ‘yan,” he asserted.
The senator also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel the alleged ICC investigators from the country to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to political reconciliation.
The ICC has yet to respond to the claims, which come months after the Philippine government turned over former President Duterte to the tribunal last March.
