By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Malacañang expressed dismay over Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s plan to evade arrest if the International Criminal Court (ICC) will issue an arrest warrant against him for alleged crimes against humanity.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is surprising for Dela Rosa to make such remarks being a former Philippine National Police chief.
“Iyan po ba ang gusto niya ring ipahiwatig sa taumbayan? Na kapag may warrant of arrest ay dapat magtago?” Castro said in a media briefing at Malacañang on Thursday.
“Hindi natin sinasang-ayunan ang ganoong klaseng paniniwala at kaniyang nais gawin. Hindi po ito makakabuti sa mga kababayan natin na mismong lider natin ay hindi haharapin ang anumang kaso o complaint na naisampa o maisasampa sa kanya,” she added.
Just like in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Castro said, the Philippine government would cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), once it seeks assistance if and when an arrest order against Dela Rosa is issued.
“Ganoon pa rin po ang ating gagawin. Makikipag-coordinate pa rin po tayo sa Interpol. At maaari po nating gamitin ang sinasabi sa batas na RA (Republic Act) 9851,” Castro said.
Section 70 of RA 9851 states that authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties.
Dela Rosa is among the key personalities who are the subject of the ICC investigation into the drug war launched by the Duterte administration./PN
