Administration Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Wednesday disclosed that the United States (US) embassy has given him the go-signal to reapply for a US visa.
Dela Rosa said he received a call from the US embassy shortly after President Donald Trump and President Duterte’s phone conversation last April where both leaders discussed efforts at fighting the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ayoko ibalita sana, but to be frank, to be honest, after mag-usap ni President Duterte at si President Trump, tinawagan ako ng US embassy na asikasuhin ko yung visa ko (I don’t want to report it, but to be frank, after President Duterte and President Trump’s conversation, the US embassy called me up and told me to take care of my visa),” Dela Rosa said in an interview over ANC Headstart.
Dela Rosa, however, said he has yet to apply saying that while he has plans to go to the US embassy, he will do so after the COVID-19 crisis is over.
The senator confirmed in December, 2019, that his US visa was cancelled purportedly as a result of the government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, was the chief architect of the Duterte administration’s “Oplan Tokhang” where thousands of alleged drug suspects were killed.
Duterte, in response, threatened to terminate the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). He, however, reversed this decision last June and decided to maintain the long-standing military pact with the US.
According to Dela Rosa, the US embassy has already made arrangements to assist him in his US visa application once the COVID-19 crisis is over.
“Sabi, after COVID daw, pag mag-report na yung kanilang mga staff, then iimbitahin nila ako para asikasuhin yung aking visa (They said that after COVID, and once their staff starts reporting to the office, they will invite me to come over to formally process my visa),” he said.
Asked if he will take their offer, Dela Rosa said: “Yes, pupunta ako (I will go).”