Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa should not go into hiding if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant of arrest against him over his involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, according to a Malacañang official.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out that Dela Rosa had acknowledged the validity of the ICC arrest warrant against Duterte, which was executed by Interpol. Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, awaiting trial for crimes against humanity related to extrajudicial killings during his presidency.
“Inamin na ni Senator Bato, ‘valid ang warrant of arrest,’ siya na ang nagsabi. Kung siya man po ay magtatago, hindi magandang maging modelo ang katulad ni Senator Bato na dati nang naging PNP chief,” she said.
Should Dela Rosa seek refuge in the Senate to avoid arrest, Castro said it would send the wrong message to the public.
“Hindi magiging magandang modelo iyan, dahil iyan po ay nang-ienganyo sa taong-bayan na kapag may warrant of arrest ay kailangang magtago na lamang,” she added.IMT
