Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. not to surrender him to the International Criminal Court following reports of an arrest warrant linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, dela Rosa urged Marcos to allow him to face any possible charges before Philippine courts instead of being sent to The Hague.
“Mr. President, alam kong wala kang personal na galit sakin. Sana naman bilang ama ng ating bansa, alagaan mo ang iyong mga anak. Alagaan mo ang lahat ng mga Pilipino,” dela Rosa said.
“Huwag niya ako ipadala sa The Hague… Pareho tayong Pilipino, kung meron akong pananagutan, panagutan ko sa ating local court, huwag sa banyaga,” he added.
Dela Rosa is currently under the protective custody of the Senate amid the reported ICC warrant tied to crimes against humanity allegations connected to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The senator resurfaced publicly this week after months away from Senate sessions amid persistent speculation about possible ICC action against him.
On Monday, National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to arrest dela Rosa within Senate premises. CCTV footage later showed the senator running through stairways and corridors toward the plenary hall while being pursued by individuals in civilian clothes.
Senators later voted to cite the NBI agents in contempt and initially placed them under Senate custody before they were eventually turned over back to the NBI following talks with NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing tied to the controversial operations.
The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity connected to thousands of deaths during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
As of posting time, Philippine authorities have yet to officially confirm the reported ICC arrest warrant against dela Rosa.
