​A House leader on Tuesday, March 18, stressed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) must uphold its legal obligation and cooperate with the Internationa Police (Interpol) in securing the possible arrest of its former chief, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, as a co-accused in crimes against humanity charge lodged against former president Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

While Dela Rosa already expressed apprehension about his looming arrest, Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City 2nd district Rep. Pammy Zamora called it "an opportunity" for him to clear his name. That is. if he is truly not really guilty of the charges.

"Sa halip na ituring ito bilang paniniil, dapat nilang gamitin ito bilang pagkakataon upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili at linisin ang kanilang pangalan (Instead of treating it as persecution, he should consider it as a way to clear his name)," Zamora said.

Zamora emphasized that the Philippines still has international legal obligations despite its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.

She says it is not optional to cooperate with Interpol, but an "obligation to the international community and our adherence to the rule of law".

Zamora also countered the argument that assisting in the enforcement of an ICC warrant was equivalent to surrendering Philippine sovereignty.

"Cooperating with an international tribunal does not mean we are surrendering our sovereignty. In fact, it is an assertion of our commitment to justice and the rule of law," she said.

That's why she urged PNP and other law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties without bias or political interference as Dela Rosa already expressed plans to seek refuge within the Senate compound.

She warned against efforts to politicize the ICC proceedings and shield individuals from accountability.

“Katulad nga ng sinabi ko dati, pumatay ka kaya dapat kang managot. Huwag sana gawing politika ang isang malinaw na krimen (Like what I said before, if you kill somebody, you should be held accountable. Don't politicize a crime),” she stressed.

Zamora said ICC's jurisdiction remained valid over crimes allegedly committed before the Philippines' withdrawal from the treaty. The international law just does not become invalid because of a unilateral decision, she added.

She then called on Duterte’s allies to stop using political narratives to evade legal scrutiny, and urged them instead to respect due process.

"Let the evidence speak for itself," Zamora said.