Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30) — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday said he will not be traveling to what he described as “hardcore” members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to avoid getting arrested over former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
“Like Netherlands…France, Italy. Basta doon sa [There in] Europe,” Dela Rosa told CNN Philippines’ News Night.
He hinted about going to the United States instead, which he said is not a member country of — and dislikes — the ICC.
There are 123 countries that are state parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. These include 33 African states, 19 Asia-Pacific states, 18 from Eastern Europe, 28 Latin American and Caribbean states, and 25 from Western Europe and other states.
Dela Rosa, who led the Duterte drug war as police chief, reiterated that the ICC has no jurisdiction after the Philippines withdrew from the tribunal in 2019.
“They can tap police force of member country within their country lang. Hindi pwede i-tap nila yung pulis ng ibang country para mang-aresto. Wala pa tayong naririnig na ganoon, otherwise magkakagulo ‘yan,” he said, referring to the ICC.
[Translation: They cannot tap the police of another country to make an arrest. We haven’t heard of anything like that, otherwise it would be a chaotic.]
Bato explains getting Tolentino as lawyer
The senator said he asked his colleague Francis Tolentino to represent him in the ICC “just in case worst comes to worst” and the international tribunal issues a warrant for his arrest.
“Halimbawa bibiyahe ako sa ibang bansa at palabasan ako ng warrant of arrest, I have to be ready. Tinatanggap naman niya ang aking pakiusap na maging legal counsel ko siya,” he said.
[Translation: If I travel to another country and an arrest warrant is issued, I have to be ready. He accepted my request to be my legal counsel.]
While the law prohibits a senator from personally appearing as counsel before any court, Dela Rosa said he “takes the word” of Tolentino that he can represent the former police chief.
He said they have yet to speak to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri about the matter, but he is hoping that the Senate head will allow them.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, for his part, said he is not certain if it will be allowed but mentioned that Dela Rosa has his colleagues’ “overwhelming support.” Senator Robin Padilla, who is Dela Rosa’s party-mate in PDP-Laban, also expressed his full support.
Bato trusts Bongbong’s word
According to Dela Rosa, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — when he was still a candidate — promised to protect him from the ICC.
“Sabi niya, kwan, kahit isang buhok mo hindi mahahawakan ng ICC. Kahit na wala akong buhok ha… I take it not only as promise to me personally, but a promise to the country, to the nation na depensahan talaga ang soberanya ng ating bansa,” the senator said.
[Translation: He said not even a single hair of yours will be touched by the ICC. Even though I don’t have hair… I take it not only as a promise to me personally, but a promise to the country, to the nation to really defend the country’s sovereignty.]
The ICC’s Appeals Chamber on Monday rejected the Philippine government’s request to suspend the investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs pending the resolution of Manila’s main appeal against the resumption of the probe.
Following the failed bid, Marcos announced that the government will disengage from any contact with the ICC.
Dela Rosa, meanwhile, stressed that he would rather “face the music” should he be charged in the country than by a foreign court. He said he is confident that justice will be served if he is tried by local judges.
