Palace says Bato dela Rosa’s ICC warrant ‘valid’ amid SC TRO rejection

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday asserted that the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is valid, following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to deny the senator’s request for temporary legal protection against a possible arrest.

Voting 9-5-1, the SC rejected dela Rosa’s plea for temporary relief against the implementation of the ICC arrest warrant over his alleged role as an indirect co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs during his tenure as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief from July 2016 to April 2018.

READ: No TRO for Bato Dela Rosa – Supreme Court

“As of now, we can say that the warrant of arrest against Sen. Bato dela Rosa is valid. And all possible interpretations and evaluations of the said Supreme Court resolution will be referred to Secretary Fredderick Vida,” Castro told reporters in a briefing.

When asked whether local authorities would now enforce the warrant following the SC ruling, Castro referred to a statement from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

“According to the OSG, we saw the statement of the OSG, which represents our government. It said that there is no need to go through the local court. So since there is no TRO, we are saying that the warrant of arrest is valid” she said.

Castro also echoed the OSG’s position describing dela Rosa as a “fugitive from justice.”

“That is also the OSG’s view — that he is being considered a fugitive,” the Palace official responded when asked if the senator is now considered a fugitive.

She then deferred operational matters concerning the arrest warrant to the Department of Justice.

Dela Rosa, who resurfaced last week after reportedly staying out of public view for six months, has once again gone out of sight after leaving the Senate premises with political ally Sen. Robin Padilla in the early hours of May 14. /mr