It is painful to watch what is happening now to Bato Dela Rosa. The man who fiercely defended, absorbed the criticisms, and practically offered his entire name and reputation for the Dutertes now appears to have been left completely alone.
Where are the people he once believed were untouchable? Where are those he trusted would never abandon him?
Even Sara Duterte, the daughter of his political master, seems to show little visible concern as Bato’s troubles continue to deepen. Silent. Cold. Almost indifferent. And yet before, he was always willing to throw himself into the fire to protect their camp and their name.
What about Bong Go and the rest of his once-close allies? Barely visible. While Bato faces mounting pressure, the others seem more focused on saving their own political positions.
What makes this even more tragic is that Bato believed the Senate, under the leadership of his ally Alan Peter Cayetano, would protect him. He thought someone would shield him, defend him, and block the political storm coming his way. But in the end, it seems that alliance only placed him in even greater danger.
He was used to secure numbers, to place people in power, and to maintain political control but once the objective was achieved, he appeared to have been pushed aside together with other allies who had already served their purpose.
Ironically, the very “protective custody” and political maneuvers he expected to become his shield ended up exposing the weakness of his position even more. Instead of protection, it made him appear fearful of facing the legal process.
This is the cruelest lesson in politics: the moment you become a liability, you become disposable.
Bato may have believed that loyalty would eventually be repaid with loyalty. But in the world of power, loyalty often works only one way. Once they are done using you, they can abandon you without even looking back.
It is tragic to think that a PMA graduate and former Philippine National Police Chief once feared and respected now appears left holding nothing but broken promises from the politicians he once served.
And perhaps this entire situation should serve as a precedent and warning to members of the police and military: your highest duty is to the Constitution and to the Filipino people not to politicians. Because once those in power are finished using you, they may leave you behind like disposable trash.
The people who once stood beside him on stage? Silent.
The people who once shouted about courage? Hiding.
The people who once claimed “no one can touch us”? Suddenly nowhere to be heard.
And as he waits for the next move of the law, one painful truth becomes clearer and clearer: even the political families once believed to be untouchable eventually reach the limits of their power.
In the end, Bato was not left as a hero of the system but as another man used by the system and abandoned when he was no longer useful.
ia/xf
