Statement of Malacañang on Possible Arrest Warrant vs. Alleged Duterte Co-Perpetrators
Malacañang claimed that it has not received any communication over a possible arrest warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa and other persons tagged as alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously claimed that he is allegedly next in line on the list of the International Criminal Court of the personalities to be investigated over the Duterte drug war. Since former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested, he had multiple change of stance over the matter.
Dela Rosa claimed that he is ready to join Duterte inside the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands. However, a few days after it, he also had claims that he will not allow himself to be arrested and tried unless the arrest warrant is from a Philippine court. He also claimed that he might sought the protection that the Senate could afford him.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa also previously joked that he will wear a wig in visiting former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague. He was gone from the public sight for several days following the arrest of the former Chief Executive until in April when he appeared in the Senate.
Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police during the presidential term of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The PNP and the government worked together in fighting drugs in the country. He is one of the Duterte allies in the Senate.
Recently, Marcos Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin claimed that Sen. Bato dela Rosa may be arrested if the ICC issues an arrest warrant against him. He stressed that the Senator may face a similar fate with the former President unless there would be an order from the Supreme Court for a trial in the country.
Malacañang recently spoke about Sen. Bato dela Rosa and other alleged co-perpetrators of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the drug war. Based on a report on GMA News, Palace press undersecretary Claire Castro claimed that they have yet to receive a communication over the possible arrest warrant against the Senator.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication kung mayroon na pong warrant of arrest para sa mga co-perpetrators ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” the Malacañang official said.
Based on the report, nine individuals were allegedly reported as co-perpetrators of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the drug war. There were reportedly persons who were named because of their roles in the campaign.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously claimed that the name of Sen. Bato dela Rosa is allegedly included in the ICC list of personalities who might be arrested. According to her, her name was allegedly on the ICC list, too, but his name was stated ahead of hers.