Malacañang has called on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has recently been out of public sight, to present himself and face the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has issued a warrant of arrest against dela Rosa over allegations that he was a co-conspirator in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Mas maganda po na bilang dating PNP [Philippine National Chief] chief at alam naman po niya na may valid warrant of arrest na inisyu ang ICC at katulad noong sinasabi dati ni Senator Robin Padilla kung walang kasalanan, lumabas,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief from July 2016 to April 2018 and was considered a key architect of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Solicitor General has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the senator’s petition seeking to block the implementation of the ICC warrant that could lead to his transfer to The Hague, Netherlands, where former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained.
Castro also said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed disappointment during a recent Cabinet meeting when he was briefed on developments involving the Senate.
“Makikita mo sa hitsura ng Pangulo… nandoon po iyong disappointment,” she said, adding that the President’s reaction was directed at the situation in the Senate.
Tensions rose last week after gunshots were reported inside the Senate building amid reports of a possible arrest attempt against dela Rosa.
