MANILA – “Wala akong kaba. Wala akong pakialam (I’m not nervous. I do not care)”
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa repeatedly said this on Tuesday as the International Criminal Court (ICC) appeals chamber is set to rule on the Philippine government’s appeal against the continuation of its investigation of the “drug war” killings during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa also said that just like him, former President Duterte is not also bothered by whatever decision the ICC would make.
“It’s up to them whatever they want… I’m just okay, whatever, whatever the outcome of that,” the senator likewise said during a phone interview with reporters.
As the head of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration, dela Rosa spearheaded the brutal war on drugs in the country that resulted in the killing of thousands of drug suspects.
Both Duterte and dela Rosa were among the accused in the crimes against humanity complaint before the ICC.
“Ah hindi nga sya (Duterte) bothered kasi hindi naman tayo miyembro (He is not bothered because we are a member [of the ICC]),” dela Rosa told reporters as he revealed that he was also able to talk to Duterte.
“Whatever the outcome of the investigation they did, what will be the resolution of the complaint against us, that will not be enforced by us because nobody will enforce it, right?” he added.
This is why the senator was no longer surprised when Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated the stand of the government against any probe by the international tribunal.
Remula said the government would not bow to the ICC should it later allow the resumption of the drug war probe and issue warrants of arrest against the accused.
Dela Rosa echoed Remulla’s opinion.
“They could not really [enforce a warrant of arrest] because this government is not bound by whatever decision, whatever consequent resolution of the case. No more, no worries because we are not members. We are not bound,” he stressed when told about Remulla’s statement that the government would not issue any warrant of arrest even if ordered by the ICC.
Duterte declared the Philippines withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in March 2018 but it only took effect a year after or on March 2019.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICC retained jurisdiction over alleged crimes that occurred in the Philippines – from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019 – while the country was still a state party. (Maila Ager © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
