Estrada cautions ICC: ‘We won’t surrender Bato to foreigners’

MANILA,  Philippines — Senate will not surrender its member, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, to foreigners, Senator Jinggoy Estrada told the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday.

“Of course, we will protect each and every member of the Senate,” Estrada said in a press briefing in Senate.

“Hindi namin isu-surrender si Bato,” he warned.

(We will not surrender Bato.)

“Anong karapatan ng mga banyaga na hulihin ang isang senador dito?” he asked.

(What right do foreigners have to arrest a senator here?)

However, it will be another story if a local court enforces the arrest.

“Ah depende (It depends),” Estrada said.

Dela Rosa’s possible arrest came about following the decision of the ICC to proceed with its probe of the Philippines’ bloody war on drugs during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte and Dela Rosa, then chief of police, were both named in the crime against humanity complaint lodged before the international tribunal.

Estrada insisted ICC representatives should be barred from entering the country.

“Sino ba itong mga puting unggoy na ito, gustong pumunta dito para mag imbestiga?” he wondered aloud.

(Who are these white monkeys who want to come here to investigate?)

“Huwag na silang papasukin dito. Mangungulo lang dito yan,” the senator told authorities.

(Don’t let them enter here. They will just cause trouble.)

In February, Estrada filed a resolution expressing the Senate’s “strong opposition” to the ICC inquiry.

He explained that his resolution was meant to protect the former president.

He believed his position was a matter of principle.

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APL/abc