Ombudsman Boying Remulla Claims Arrest Warrant vs. Sen. Bato dela Rosa Allegedly Issued by ICC
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator skipped the plenary session in the Senate amid the reported International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
Recently, amid the Filipinos monitoring the entry of then-looming super typhoon “Uwan” to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that the ICC allegedly issued an arrest warrant against Sen. dela Rosa. The Senator who was the first chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration claimed that the foreign court allegedly wants to arrest and investigate him, too, following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
Neither the ICC nor the Department of Justice has confirmed the reported arrest warrant against the Senator. Ombudsman Remulla spoke about it during his Saturday radio program.
According to Remulla, the information about the supposed ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa was allegedly relayed by the acting Secretary of Justice. He claimed that he is still verifying it.
On the alleged issuance of an ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa, his lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, spoke in behalf of the Senator. According to Torreon, they have yet to verify if there is really an ICC arrest warrant against the former PNP Chief but if there is, they trust that the Philippine government will abide by the rule of law.
Dela Rosa’s camp also hopes for the exercise of due process in case an ICC arrest warrant has been released against the Senator. Previously, he had multiple change of stance over the matter. There were instances when he expressed willingness to go to The Hague, Netherlands where former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained under the ICC custody.
There were also instances when Sen. Dela Rosa claimed that he will seek all legal remedies to evade arrest. According to him, he will request for the protection that the Senate can afford him as an institution.
On the reported issuance of an ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto claimed that no senator will be arrested inside the Senate premises. However, outside, the Senate Chief stressed that it is no longer their concern.
Amid the reported ICC arrest warrant against him, Sen. Bato dela Rosa skipped the latest Senate plenary session. Based on a post of News5 on social media, 20 senators were present during the plenary session.
Recently, amid no confirmation from other agencies, Ombudsman Boying Remulla claimed that he allegedly has a copy of the ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa.