Duterte tells birthday boy Bato: Be strong as a rock

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

January 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte greeted Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on his 64th birthday, as he told him to be “strong like a rock,” according to Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Earlier, I spoke to president Duterte and I told him that it’s Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s birthday. I told him if he has a birthday message for Sen. Bato dela Rosa. He said, ‘Happy birthday, Sen. Bato. Be strong like a rock.’ That’s his wish,” the Vice President said in The Hague, Netherlands.

Dela Rosa has been hiding amid reports that there is a warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has tapped local authorities to track the lawmaker’s whereabouts.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has said there is an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, but the ICC has yet to issue an official announcement.

When word of the reported ICC warrant broke out, Dela Rosa has skipped Senate sessions since Nov. 11.

Dela Rosa was Rodrigo Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief and enforcer of his war on drugs that left thousands of drug suspects dead in alleged armed encounters and extrajudicial killings.

Kabataan party-list asked Dela Rosa to stop using patriotism to escape accountability.

“You are hiding because you love yourself, not the Philippines. Your continuous hiding from justice does not make the fishermen safe from China’s aggression,” House assistant minority leader and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said in a statement.

“If Sen. Bato will just wait for his arrest, he better resign as a senator. We should not pay the salary of those who are escaping from accountability. Kabataan will make him pay for his debt wherever he goes,” Co said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President expressed hope that her detained father can return to Davao City, amid charges of crimes against humanity before the ICC.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks. Our gratitude will never run out because of your love for our tatay Digong. I hope his case will be over and he can return home to Davao City,” she told supporters in The Hague.

Both the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I and the Appeals Chamber are expected to rule soon on the request for indefinite adjournment and the appeal on the jurisdiction issue, respectively.

“For an 81-year-old, it’s normal for him to have difficulty walking… many of the 81-year-olds have difficulty walking. He has a cane,” the Vice President said in an interview posted on the Alvin and Tourism Facebook page.

Duterte’s lawyer has indicated another possible request for interim release, this time on the basis of his medical condition. — Jose Rodel Clapano