UMVA has learned that the Philippine Supreme Court has delivered a stunning blow to Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, rejecting his bid to avoid arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
In a 9-5 decision with one abstention, the high court refused to issue a restraining order, leaving the senator vulnerable to arrest on allegations of crimes against humanity for his role in the bloody “war on drugs” during former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration.
Senator dela Rosa, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, has denied any involvement in the alleged killings, but his past actions as the national police chief and top enforcer of the crackdown have raised serious concerns about his accountability.
The court’s decision marks a significant development in a saga that has captivated the Philippines since early last week, and paves the way for his arrest after a dramatic series of events, including a chaotic night of gunfire and his sudden disappearance.
As the top enforcer of the crackdown, Senator dela Rosa oversaw a period of extreme violence, during which thousands of alleged drug dealers were killed in police operations, and human rights groups have accused authorities of systematic murders and cover-ups.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Senator dela Rosa’s lawyers have vowed to seek a reconsideration and pursue all available legal remedies, arguing that the court’s decision is not a final ruling on the legality of enforcing an ICC process within Philippine territory.
The Philippine government has made it clear that it will seek to arrest Senator dela Rosa and execute the ICC warrant, with Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida stating that authorities will “definitely” pursue his arrest.
The Palace has also confirmed that the ICC arrest warrant against Senator dela Rosa can now be enforced, citing the position of the Office of the Solicitor General, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has pledged to follow the law in implementing the warrant.
Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe has argued that the ICC warrant against Senator dela Rosa does not require validation by Philippine courts to be enforceable, setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation.
