It comes after the Supreme Court denied the prayer for interim relief to prevent the implementation of the said warrant.
On Thursday, May 21, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida held a press conference, where he confirmed anew that there is a valid warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa is facing possible charges for being an alleged “indirect co-perpetrator” in the crimes against humanity case, which includes former President Rodrigo Duterte, for the bloody “war on drugs.” During that time, he served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Vida also established facts, such as the politician not being in the Senate building and the non-issuance of his prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) by the Supreme Court (SC) — although the main case has yet to he decided upon.
The SOJ thus noted that the warrant is “enforceable” and told, “I would like to confirm that the Philippine law enforcement agencies, which should include the PNP, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), are now tasked to effect the arrest of Senator Bato Dela Rosa.”
Vida also called the lawmaker a “fugitive from justice” and told that he should be brought to the ICC to face the charges before him.
As regards to who will get the custody of the Senator, Vida did not disclose it but said the ultimate goal is to bring Dela Rosa to the ICC. He also noted that there is cooperation between the law enforcement agencies.
On whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered them, here is what the secretary answered.
“This presupposes any order because this is actually because this is giving operational… operatiinalizing a valid arrest warrant. And given that there is no interim order from the Supreme Court, the same is now enforceable and the law enforcement agencies will enforce them.“
The DOJ chief confirmed that the NBI also has “leads that they are working on” regarding the whereabouts of the Senator, who fled the Senate building, despite being placed on protective custody, on Thursday (May 14), hours after the gun-related incident between the Senate security and NBI agents.
“Definitely there are leads. As to the exact leads, I cannot discuss them. First, I’m not privy to those leads (and) they are available to our law enforcement agencies and to their units. Let them do their work,” told Vida.
As for the timetable, he quipped: “Pwede bang mamaya, ala-una? Hopefully, we do it as fast as we can.“
Vida, however, underscored for those who might help the senator evade justice: “We are pursuing this so that the heads of justice will be achieved. Tandaan natin, may biktima ito, ‘e,” pertaining to the drug war victims and their families. “And their search for justice started in 2017. Libo, daan-daang mga kabataan (at meron pang) mga toddlers.”
“‘Yung mga kababayan nating naghahanap ng katarungan, patay na sila. Hindi na sila pwedeng kumuha ng abogado, hindi na sila pwedeng kumuha ng TRO. Tingnan na lang natin.”
“Ang obligasyon ng gobyerno, alalayan, tulungan (sila) para ‘yung sinasaliksik, hinahanap nila na katarungan (ay) makamit. At ang pag-aaresto kay Senator Bato ay bahagi nito.”
He then assured that Dela Rosa, should he be brought to the International Criminal Court, he will still be able to have his rights recognized and exercised.
“Pero sa kabila ng kanyang (posibleng) pagka-aresto, mayroon pa rin siyang karapatan at kinikilala natin ang mga karapatan niya at ito ay kikilalanin din ng ICC, batid po natin ito.”
“Kaya po sa ating lahat, ang sa akin din pong pakiusap, those who might be aiding, abetting, helping Senator Bato evade the law, there are consequences,” he warned them. “Alam natin sa panuntunan ng rule of law, lahat may pananagutan. Hindi lamang sa mata ng batas ng Pilipinas, pati rin po sa batas ng ICC.”
“Dahil siya ay validly issued arrest warrant ng ICC, meron din pong mga panuntunan,” Vida added. “Kapag meron kang ginawa para masawata ang maayos at matiwasay na pagsisilbi ng arrest warrant, may pananagutan ka rin.”
“We need a closure on this,” the Secretary of Justice ended his address.
PALACE STANCE
Prior to this, on Wednesday, May 20, the Malacañan Palace has also noted that the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Dela Rosa.
“Sa ngayon, masasabi natin na ang warrant of arrest ay valid laban dito kay Senator Bato Dela Rosa,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro.
“At ang lahat ng maaaring interpretasyon at evaluation sa nasabing resolution ng Supreme Court ay ibabato natin kay (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida.”
She was also asked for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reaction to the video, which was released to members of the press, showing Dela Rosa leaving the Senate premises with known ally Senator Robin Padilla, Castro said the President seeks accountability for wrongdoers.
“Alam natin na ang mga tao na dapat na may panagutan, ‘yan din ang ayon sa Pangulo ay dapat na managot,” said Castro. “Kung wala namang kasalanan ay kailangan ma-clear ang kanilang mga pangalan.”
Although, she underscored that while the Palace is not in a position to determine whether Dela Rosa’s actions may be construed as evading the Senate premises, the President’s view is that such conduct is “not appropriate.”