The Senate shouldn't be reduced into a hiding place for Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa even as the International Criminal Court (ICC) breathes down his neck for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the previous Duterte administration's war on drugs.

This was among the assertions made by the militant Makabayan bloc Saturday, Nov. 8 after news broke out that the ICC finally released a warrant of arrest against the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief-turned-senator.

The issuance of the warrant is being double-checked by Philippine authorities.

"We in the Makabayan bloc firmly assert that justice for the victims of the Duterte Drug War must be achieved. Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, as the chief implementor and author of Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel, must be held accountable for the widespread killings and abuses committed under this campaign," the militant solons said in a joint statement.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co comprise the Makabayan bloc in the current 20th Congress.

"Hindi dapat gawing taguan ang Senado upang makaiwas sa pag-aresto. Hindi rin dapat humarang ang Korte Suprema sa pagsulong ng hustisya (The Senate should not be used as a refuge to evade arrest. Or should the Supreme Court obstruct the pursuit of justice)," stressed Co.

Co was referring to statements from the Senate leadership Saturday that it won't allow the potential arrest of Dela Rosa within the Senate. This has raised the possible scenario of Dela Rosa holing himself up at the Senate at the expense of the institution.

Tinio emphasized, "Hindi dapat manatiling malaya ang mga utak at tagapagpatupad ng madugong drug war. Mahaba ang listahan ng mga pamilya ng biktima na naghahangad ng hustisya. Dapat managot si Bato Dela Rosa at ang lahat ng sangkot."

(The masterminds and enforcers of the bloody drug war should not remain free. There is a long list of families of victims who seek justice. Bato Dela Rosa and all those involved must be held accountable.)

"We likewise call for the immediate implementation of the ICC arrest warrant. There should be no compromise or special treatment from the Marcos administration for the Duterte camp," he said.

For her part, Elago said, "Hinihikayat namin ang sambayanan na maghanda ng sama-samang pagkilos upang ipanawagan ang hustisya. Patuloy tayong magbantay at magkaisa na tiyakin ang pananagutan.”

(We urge the people to prepare collective action to demand justice. Let us remain vigilant and united in ensuring accountability.)

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has been detained at the ICC at The Hague in the Netherlands since mid-March. He is on trial for crimes against humanity stemming from his bloody anti-illegal drugs campaign.

As a parting shot, the Makabayan bloc says it calls on all Filipinos to remain vigilant and united in demanding justice for the victims. "The ICC warrant must be enforced, and every attempt to shield those responsible from accountability must be opposed," it said.