Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Speaks on Sen. Bato dela Rosa Over Possible ICC Arrest Warrant
BATO DELA ROSA – Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin claimed that Sen. Bato dela Rosa may face similar fate with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The unexpected turn of events last March 11 marked the Philippine history. Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the Philippine authorities who assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Duterte is currently detained in the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC prosecutor has submitted the 11th and 12th batches of evidence against Duterte. The camp of the former President sought for an ICC interim release but there is no update about it yet.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is faced with an allegation of crime against humanity over his administration’s war on drugs. Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously claimed that he is allegedly the next in line with regards to the persons that the ICC wants to probe with regards to the drug war of the previous admin.
Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the term of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. The PNP worked with the government in the anti-drugs campaign.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the name of Sen. Bato dela Rosa is allegedly ahead of hers in the ICC list of persons with possible arrest warrants. Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the former PNP chief-turned-Senator has changed stance multiple times over the issue of a possible arrest warrant against him.
Recently, Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin spoke about Sen. Bato dela Rosa. Based on a report on Inquirer, Marcos’ top aide said the Senator will allegedly get “treatment similar to what we did to Duterte” in case the ICC issues an arrest warrant against him.
According to Bersamin, if the Interpol would release a notice, the Philippine authorities would have to proceed in arresting Dela Rosa. Based on the report, the senior member of the Marcos’ Cabinet said that “if the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling that you must afford full due process” before surrendering a person, it is what’s going to be done.
With regards to the ICC interim release bid of former Pres. Duterte, Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin stressed that the decision is up to the foreign court. According to him, the Philippine government has allegedly nothing to do with the bid anymore.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa has signed the resolution of Sen. Robin Padilla calling for Duterte’s return to the country.