Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate minority bloc said it stands in solidarity with its colleague, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, after authorities gave him an ultimatum to surrender over an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a statement on Saturday, Oct. 24, the group urged the government to pursue dialogue with Dela Rosa’s lawyers and backed the call for local courts to try his case.
“We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible,” the minority said.
The senators affirmed their respect for the mandate of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary and the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, and expressed their willingness to cooperate to bring the matter to a lawful conclusion.
“The Minority is ready to help work out a lawful process through which the allegations can be heard and answered, with fairness to those seeking justice and a full opportunity for [Senator Dela Rosa] to defend himself,” they said.
They also appealed to government officials, law enforcement personnel, Dela Rosa’s family and counsel, his supporters, and anyone who could influence events on the ground to exercise restraint and keep communication open.
The minority bloc also welcomed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s remarks to negotiate in resolving the issue over an operation that could result in casualties, saying it aligns with Dela Rosa’s willingness to hold a dialogue.
“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” the minority said.
[Translation: No Filipino should die just to prove his point.]
The senators also echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s earlier pronouncement that the government has a distinguished cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) rather than with the ICC.
“We respectfully ask that the protection of Philippine sovereignty and the rights of our citizens remain central to the government’s decisions,” they added.
On Friday, Oct. 23, Remulla announced a ₱50-million bounty for the capture of Dela Rosa amid heightened efforts to bring him before the ICC, nearly a year after the international tribunal issued the arrest warrant.
Remulla said people found harboring or concealing Dela Rosa will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Senator Bato mistook my gesture of negotiation as a sign of weakness. Now the gloves have to come off. It is time to bring justice to his victims,” Remulla said.
Subject of an ICC arrest warrant for his participation in the Duterte administration’s bloody illegal drugs crackdown, Dela Rosa was last seen leaving the Senate premises at around 2:30 a.m. on May 14 after a shooting at the Senate building.
