Why criticize? Gov’t must uphold dela Rosa’s rights instead – Alan Cayetano
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is asking, instead of subjecting former top cop turned lawmaker Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to criticism, why has the administration not given the senator an assurance that his rights would be protected amid an allegedly looming arrest?
Cayetano raised the matter in an ambush interview on Tuesday after he was asked what the Senate minority bloc’s action would be in light of dela Rosa’s continued absence.
The minority bloc leader, however, sided with dela Rosa, noting that with the current state of the Philippine justice system, and his life and liberty being threatened, the former top cop has no other option but to hide.
“The justice system in our country is very important, and the courts have jurisdiction. If your life and liberty were threatened, what options would you take? This is my personal view. We have not yet discussed this within the minority bloc,” said Cayetano.
“The government should assure Sen. Bato that there is a proper process,” he pointed out.
“Instead of putting pressure on him and asking why he isn’t here, the real question is: Why is there no assurance that his rights will be protected?” he asked.
Dela Rosa has been absent from the chamber’s sessions since November 11.
This came in light of the alleged issuance of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
He is facing charges of crimes against humanity in relation to the role he played during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs. /apl
