Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla challenged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to directly face the allegations being thrown against him amid the controversy surrounding the International Criminal Court arrest warrant linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Remulla made the statement during an Office of the Ombudsman press briefing on Friday, May 15, following confirmation that dela Rosa had left the Senate premises after being placed under Senate protective custody earlier this week.
“Nagtataka ako sa kaniya. Naging chief PNP siya, tumatakbo siya sa batas. Humarap siya!” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman questioned why a former Philippine National Police chief would supposedly evade legal proceedings instead of confronting the accusations against him.
“Nagkagulo-gulo ’yong mundo eh, managot ka sa iyong mga gawain. Sabihin mo kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, harapin mo. Anong klaseng tao ’yan?” he added.
Remulla also raised concerns about the message being sent to the public if a sitting senator appears to be avoiding the law.
“Ganiyan ba dapat maging senador natin, tumatakbo sa batas? Is that the hero he wants to portray?” he said.
The Ombudsman stressed that dela Rosa should answer the accusations properly if he truly believes he committed no wrongdoing.
“Managot siya, harapin niya lang ang mga paratang at sagutin niya nang maayos kung wala talaga siyang kasalanan,” Remulla said.
The remarks came after the Department of Justice confirmed the existence of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa resurfaced publicly at the Senate earlier this week after months away from public view amid reports that the ICC had issued a sealed warrant against him.
He later left Senate premises following heightened tensions, security incidents, and a dramatic standoff involving authorities and Senate officials.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is also facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC, remains detained in The Hague awaiting trial.
