Dela Rosa unfazed by resumption of ICC probe into war on drugs

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is “not worried” about the resumption of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the Philippines’ war on drugs.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Dela Rosa, who was the former top police chief, are accused of crimes against humanity by rights victims and kin of supposed state-sponsored extra-judicial killings in relation to the brutal war on drugs.

“It is all up to the Philippine [government] if it will allow such inference into our internal affairs. Our [government], so far, has been consistent in denying them access to proceed investigation since our judicial system is functioning,” Dela Rosa told INQUIRER.net in a message on Friday.

Asked if he is worried about the probe, the senator replied: “No, I am not.”

In 2021, Dela Rosa admitted feeling “a little worried” about the ICC’s investigation but said that he was prepared to face the scrutiny.

Back when he was a presidential aspirant, he also said that he would not allow the ICC to investigate the country should he win the presidency.

READ: If he wins the presidency, Dela Rosa won’t allow ICC probe on drug war

In September 2021, the ICC pre-trial chamber authorized the beginning of the probe into Duterte’s drug war, which was launched in 2016. Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief when the drug war commenced.

The probe was suspended two months later due to the Philippine government’s request, saying that the Duterte administration was already looking into extra-judicial killing allegations.

Duterte’s war on drugs has killed 6,248 individuals as of April 30 last year.

Human rights organizations and watchdogs, however, pegged the drug war fatalities to more than 20,000.

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