Senator Bato Dela Rosa Targets ICC in Senate Probe Over Alleged Intimidation of Retired Cops

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Manila — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has vowed to open a Senate inquiry into what he describes as “intimidation tactics” allegedly employed by representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Philippines.

The Mindanao-born senator, who once served as chief of the Philippine National Police, made the explosive revelation during a media interview when asked about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s openness to reconcile with the Duterte family.

According to Dela Rosa, ICC personnel have been reportedly staying in a Pasay City hotel and are allegedly coercing retired police officers to sign affidavits implicating him and former President Rodrigo Duterte in the bloody war on drugs.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng Senate hearing,” Dela Rosa confirmed. “At ang mga Pilipinong taksil sa ating soberanya na sangkot dito, pananagutin.”

Dela Rosa further claimed that those being pressured are former officers who had long served under the PNP and are now being subjected to fear tactics in exchange for testimonies.

“Ang dapat gawin ng Pangulo, kung talagang sinsero siya sa pagkakaisa, ay paalisin agad ang mga ICC investigators na nandiyan sa Pasay. Tinatakot nila ang mga retiradong pulis—pinipilit silang mag-sign ng affidavit laban sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte. Kapag hindi sila pumayag, tinatakot silang isasama sa kaso,” he alleged.

He condemned what he described as unfair treatment of retired law enforcers who have already dedicated decades of service to the country.

“Hindi ba ninyo kinikilala ang sakripisyo at buhay na inalay ng mga pulis na ito sa bayan? Ngayon, dahil retired na sila, gaganunin na lang ninyo? Tatakutin ninyo na kapag hindi pumirma, damay sila?” Dela Rosa said, visibly agitated.

He urged the PNP leadership to step in and defend its ranks, stating that no retired officer should be left vulnerable to alleged foreign pressure.

As of this writing, there has been no official response from the ICC regarding the senator’s accusations. President Marcos Jr. has also yet to comment directly on the matter.

Dela Rosa’s statements mark a fresh wave of resistance from Duterte allies against renewed ICC interest in the drug war probe, highlighting the ongoing tension between international accountability efforts and national sovereignty concerns.