If ex-President Duterte dies, Bato hopes it's in the Philippines
By Dhel Nazario
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa hopes that if former President Rodrigo Duterte dies, he will die in the Philippines, and not in another country.
FORMER President Duterte (FB)
After all, Duterte is a former Philippine president, Dela Rosa said.
In a press conference on Wednesday, July 9, Dela Rosa confirmed that he signed a resolution by Senator Robin Padilla along with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go calling for the immediate repatriation of Duterte.
"It's expressing the sense of the Senate na gusto ng Senado na makauwi na si Pangulong Duterte dito sa ating bansa for reasons of sovereignty, reconciliation if you want it to be also a factor, and also humanitarian consideration," he said.
"Ang alam natin ngayon, Pangulong Duterte ay butot balat na daw, masyadong mahina na at nagbigay nga daw ng pasabi na kung mamatay man siya doon, ay doon na lang siya magpa-cremate sa The Hague (What we know now is that former President Duterte is reportedly skin and bones, very weak, and has even sent word that if he dies there, he wants to be cremated in The Hague)," he added.
Dela Rosa said that this is a “very sad information.”
Duterte's condition was earlier mentioned by his ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, who also assured that he’s “healthy” enough for his age.
According to Dela Rosa, they're not calling for the dismissal of his case but rather his immediate repatriation.
He also dismissed victims' concerns over Duterte's influence, stating that he is no longer the President and that President Marcos is the one in office now, adding that Malacañang is more than capable of ensuring their safety.
“Who is President Duterte going to influence? The man is already struggling; he’s skin and bones. And yet they’re still afraid of him? Don’t they feel any pity for him?" he added.