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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hanapin nila ako': Bato says he won't go into hiding after ICC decision 

'Hanapin nila ako': Bato says he won't go into hiding after ICC decision 

Published Jul 18, 2023 10:43 am
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday, July 18 said he won’t go into hiding should the International Criminal Court (ICC) comes to the Philippines to arrest him.                Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Senate PRIB Photo)

Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said this after the ICC Appeals Chamber denied the appeal of the Philippine government against the resumption of the investigation into the controversial war on drugs of the previous Duterte administration. “Hanapin nila ako sa Pinas, particular sa Senado, andyan lang ako. Try nila arestuhin ako. Tignan natin (Let them look for me here in the Philippines, particularly in the Senate, I am just here. Let them try to arrest me. Let’s see) what will happen,” Dela Rosa said in a phone interview with Senate reporters. The senator also said he is confident he would even be attending President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA). “Hanapin niyo ako, nasa Pilipinas lang ako (Look for me, I am here in the Philippines). I’m within the jurisdiction of the Philippines…hindi ako mag-missing in action (MIA). Bakit ako mag MIA wala naman huhuli sa akin (I won’t be missing in action. Why will I go MIA, when no one will arrest me),” he stressed.  Dela Rosa also said he is confident that the Marcos administration will not recognize the ICC’s decision since the President has repeatedly vowed not to let the ICC interfere with the country’s laws and internal affairs. Likewise, he is also certain his colleagues in the Senate will defend him. “If they can’t protect me, I will protect myself,” Dela Rosa said.  Asked about Duterte’s reaction on the latest development, Dela Rosa said the former president just shrugged off the issue.  “Tumatawa lang siya…wala daw patutunguhan yan (He was just laughing it off, he said the case won’t go anywhere),” he said. Dela Rosa, who was the chief implementer of the Duterte government’s war on drugs where thousands were killed, also said he remains unfazed over the ICC’s threats to arrest him.

“Deadma. Deadma na ko dyan…Di ako surprised, hindi ako concerned, di ako nababagabag ( I don’t care. I’m not surprised, I’m not concerned, I’m not worried),” he reiterated.

In a separate statement, Sen. Francis Tolentino, whom Dela Rosa said he plans to tap as his lawyer should the ICC case progress, insisted that the international body has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which is no longer a member of the  ICC since Duterte has pulled out the country from it during his term.

"Once again, the denial of the appeal does not grant the ICC the jurisdiction which it lacks from the very beginning,” Tolentino said.

“Any misguided claims suggesting otherwise would only highlight ICC's persistent disregard for Philippine sivereignty. It is important to note that a foreign entity has no authority to investigate the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte,” he pointed out.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, another ally of the Duterte administration also downplayed the ICC’s decision.

“As I have said countless times before, the ICC has no business meddling in our internal affairs where our courts remain fully functional and free from political interference. Probes into the war on drugs are presently being conducted by competent authorities,” Go said in another statement.

“Filipinos should be judged by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws,” he reiterated. 





Related Tags

Bong Go Senator Francis Tolentino ICC probe International Criminal Court (ICC) Sen. Ronald Bato dela Rosa Rodrigo Duterte PH war on drugs
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