Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) — Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairperson Francis Tolentino encouraged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to continue monitoring developments in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the bloody drug war even after the government decided to disengage from the tribunal.
“I think it should be wise for the Solicitor General’s office to have a listening post and monitor what is happening because our disengagement would really not mean a total lack of communication. We should be aware of what’s going on,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Friday.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said Thursday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to stop the country’s engagement with the tribunal. This was after the ICC’s Appeals Chamber junked the Philippines’ plea to block the resumption of the investigation into alleged human rights violations in the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Tolentino said he agrees with the decision made by the government, but monitoring developments in the ICC is still vital because “the Pre-Trial Chamber can still quash a warrant of arrest” even if it were issued on the grounds of insufficiency of evidence.
He also pointed out that issuing a warrant of arrest will still go through a long process which could take months or years.
Reasonable grounds, which should satisfy the Pre-Trial Chamber, should be established to support the issuance, he added.
One of the expected respondents in the case is Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was chief of police during the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs program.
Tolentino said the Senate will still have to discuss whether a resolution will be issued to protect him.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier assured Dela Rosa that the upper chamber will not allow his arrest if ordered by the ICC.
