According to a political analyst, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is trying to present himself as a victim of persecution in an effort to garner the same support and sympathy from his followers that former President Rodrigo Duterte still enjoys.

“Sen. Dela Rosa’s disposition these days is to make it appear that he too is being persecuted by Duterte’s rivals with the hope of getting the same support or sympathy that Rody is enjoying nowadays, as we are seeing with the intensified online operations to boost their image and popularity,” said Arjan Aguirre, assistant professor at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“As a candidate, I’m sure he is being advised to say or do things that can be related to the Dutertes and the controversies they are facing,” he added.

Aguirre, however, cautioned voters that Bato’s pronouncements could be part of a calculated script meant to influence their decision or preferences for the upcoming midterm elections.

“Pakiusap, maging mapanuri at maging maingat sa bawat naririnig natin or nakikita natin sa mga ginagawa niya,” he warned.

Bato is reportedly in an undisclosed location as he awaits the possible issuance of an ICC arrest warrant for his role as the chief enforcer of Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs during his tenure as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

The senator initially stated that he would seek refuge in the Senate if the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest. However, he has since shifted his stance, now suggesting that he is considering evading arrest.