Amid Looming ICC Arrest Warrant, Malacañang Speaks on Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s Statement over Course of Action
Malacañang slammed Senator Bato dela Rosa’s plan to hide from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues an arrest warrant.
Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, there are speculations that more arrest warrants may be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the other key players in the previous administration’s war on drugs. There are expectations that the ICC may also issue an arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa who previously said he is willing to join Duterte in the Hague if all the legal remedies fail was the chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration. The PNP was a frontliner in the administration’s war on drugs campaign.
Dela Rosa claimed that Duterte’s arrest is allegedly a “betrayal to the max” by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to him, the President did not stand by his words. Malacañang defended Marcos Jr. saying he did not betray anyone and the government is only doing its job.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos also stressed that the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte followed the legal process. According to him, the government acted on the arrest of Duterte because of its commitment with the Interpol and not because it came from the ICC.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously claimed that he is ready to defend himself even if he’s not a lawyer in the ICC issue in case his lawyer can’t. According to him, if all legal remedies fail, he will turn over himself peacefully to the authorities.
However, recently, it seems like Sen. Bato dela Rosa has a change of stance on the ICC issue. Dela Rosa admitted that hiding from the authorities is an option for him in case the ICC would issue an arrest warrant against him. He downplayed surrendering if justice allegedly cannot be found.
The statement of Sen. Bato dela Rosa earned different reactions. Even Malacañang spoke on the Senator’s claim that he might hide from the authorities if the ICC will issue an arrest warrant against him.
Based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro said the belief of Sen. Bato dela Rosa is not agreeable. She stressed that it will not bring any good to the Filipino people if the leaders of the country evade the allegations against them.
”’Di sinasangayunan ang ganoong klaseng paniniwala,” the press officer of Malacañang said.
Previously, Sen. Bato dela Rosa claimed he will seek the protection that the Senate can provide to him as an institution if the ICC issues an arrest warrant against him. Dela Rosa expressed his disappointment against Eduardo Año, the National Security Adviser, for allegedly not informing Duterte about his impending arrest.