Sen. Bato dela Rosa To Not Allow ICC Arrest if Warrant is Released
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator echoed the stand of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Philippines is currently facing a huge political turmoil following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Last March 11, upon his arrival from Hong Kong, the former Chief Executive was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and his custody was turned over to the ICC.
The ICC issued a warrant of arrest against Duterte for allegations of crimes over his administration’s war on drugs. The Philippine government coordinating with the Interpol did not sit well with many people. Duterte’s son and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte stressed that they will fight back following FPRRD’s arrest.
Mayor Duterte also stressed that his father gave the late former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr. a hero’s burial but Pres. Bongbong Marcos had his father arrested. Malacañang defended Marcos Jr. saying he already thanked Duterte over his father’s burial.
In 2019, amid the attempts of the ICC to investigate the war on drugs campaign of the Duterte administration, then-Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte removed the country under the jurisdiction of the international court. Until now, there are calls on the President to reconsider joining the ICC again.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly stressed he won’t allow himself to be judged by a foreign court. According to him, he will face the allegations against him as long as the complaint is made before a Philippine court. Recently, Sen. Bato dela Rosa echoed the former President’s stance.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa was the chief of the PNP under the Duterte administration. Thus, there are speculations that he is one of the people being investigated by the ICC for his role on the war on drugs campaign of the previous administration.
Recently, Sen. Bato dela Rosa spoke anew on the looming arrest warrant against him issued by the ICC. Based on a report on Inquirer, the former PNP Chief turned Senator stressed that he will not recognize the ICC and will only face the warrant issued by the Supreme Court or the local courts.
“Why will I face that warrant when we no longer recognize the ICC? That warrant has no jurisdiction over my person. If that warrant was issued by the Supreme Court or the local courts, then I will face it,” Dela Rosa said.
Based on the report, Sen. Bato dela Rosa stressed that he will not leave the Philippines which he called his “comfort zone” but he will not allow himself to be arrested and sent to the ICC. Previously, Dela Rosa affirmed that there is no question on the validity of the arrest warrant against Duterte.