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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cayetano on ICC arrest order vs Bato: Let a Philippine court decide

Cayetano on ICC arrest order vs Bato: Let a Philippine court decide

Published Nov 11, 2025 05:11 pm
If there's indeed a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, it should go through a Philippine court.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook)
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook)
In an interview on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Cayetano said that a local court should have an opportunity.
"Hindi pwedeng may laro na walang referee. Ang referee, korte. So kung anuman international body, whether it's a state or a non-state, kung anuman ang magpapa-arresto sa ating bansa, kailangan may oportunidad ang korte (here can’t be a game without a referee. The referee is the court. So whatever international body it may be — whether it’s a state or a non-state — if it seeks to make an arrest in our country, the court must first be given the opportunity to act)," he said.
"Number two, kailangan ang korte, masunod. So yun lang, ganun lang kasimple. Everyone can argue, but I think we are on the right side (Number two, the court must be followed. That’s all—it’s that simple. Everyone can argue, but I believe we are on the right side)," he added.
According to the senator, an international court is not higher than a local court, adding that many local sovereign courts are higher than an international court.
Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed that the ICC allegedly issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa for supposed crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, on similar allegations.
Cayetano said that he has not yet spoken to Dela Rosa since news regarding his ICC warrant was announced over the weekend.
When asked if Dela Rosa should use the Senate premises as a temporary sanctuary while waiting for a court's decision, he opposed the idea.
"If you think that they should arrest him, arrestuhin nyo, dalhin nyo sa police, dalhin nyo sa korte. Let him file what he has to file, the bail, kung habeas corpus, kung anuman. Then let him have his day in court (If you think he should be arrested, then arrest him, bring him to the police, bring him to court. Let him file whatever he needs to — bail, habeas corpus, or whatever it may be. Then let him have his day in court)," Cayetano said.
"Kasi pag dito magkakatension pa tayo. Hindi lang natin pinag-uusapan dito ang institution ng Senate. Mas importante pa sa Senate is our democracy, our freedom, our sovereignty (Because if we do that here, it will only create tension. What we’re talking about is not just the institution of the Senate. More important than the Senate are our democracy, our freedom, and our sovereignty)," he added.

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Alan Cayetano International Criminal Court Bato Dela Rosa Ombudsman
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