Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla Speaks on Reported ICC Arrest Warrant vs. Sen. Bato dela Rosa
JONVIC REMULLA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary spoke on the claim of his brother, Ombudsman Boying Remulla, over the ICC arrest warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa.
Over the weekend, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla claimed that an ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa has been issued. However, neither the ICC nor the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the claim of the country’s chief grafter.
Amid the questions and the criticisms against him over the claim, Ombudsman Remulla claimed that he has a “copy” of the said ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa. According to him, it is “unofficial” and the other agencies have yet to see it, thus, no confirmations allegedly does not invalidate his claim.
Remulla even claimed that he has a copy of the alleged ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in his phone. According to him, the said document has to go through channels first and its implementation is an “executive function”.
The camp of Sen. Bato dela Rosa claimed they have yet to verify if there is really an ICC arrest warrant against the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. According to his lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, if there is indeed an ICC arrest warrant, they trust that the Philippine government will uphold the rule of law and exercise due process.
Recently, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla spoke on the claim of his brother, Ombudsman Boying Remulla. Based on a report on GMA News, the younger Remulla said he was able to talk to the Ombudsman over the phone and he learned that his brother got the copy of the ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa from a “third source” and not the ICC.
“Sa telepono lang kami nagkausap. Ang sinabi niya sa akin, nakuha niya ang electronic copy from a third source. So, hindi po galing sa ICC,” the DILG Secretary said.
Based on the report, Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla claimed that the “copy” of the supposed ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa that Ombudsman Boying Remulla has looks official in form and function. However, he admitted that an actionable document is needed for the implementation.
“But in form and in function, mukha siyang official. But as far as we are concerned kasi, basta nasa security aparatus ka, dapat actionable document. Dapat dumating talaga,” the younger Remulla said.
According to DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla, the PNP will still have to wait for the official copy of the supposed arrest order first. Recently, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson expressed his desire to be able to talk to Sen. Bato dela Rosa over his supposed ICC arrest warrant.