The legal counsel for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa stated Wednesday that he has no personal knowledge of any powerful figures reportedly shielding the lawmaker from local authorities attempting to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Atty. Israelito Torreon, speaking on behalf of the fugitive legislator, directly refuted claims made regarding any individuals protecting the senator.
“With utmost respect to Secretary Remulla, we have no personal knowledge of these supposed ‘powerful protectors’ of Senator dela Rosa,” Torreon said.
“What we do know is that Senator dela Rosa is a deeply prayerful man who places his faith in Almighty God, his one and only Protector,” he added.
Torreon issued the statement following remarks by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who indicated that government officials know the senator’s location and are negotiating with individuals allegedly protecting him.
Remulla also mentioned wanting to prevent casualties and brought up the subject of “body bags” during his statements.
The defense attorney voiced concern over the rhetoric employed by the DILG chief, emphasizing that such statements from a cabinet official could provoke public distress. He added that comments referring to “body bags” could “cause apprehension among senator’s family, supporters and the Filipino public.“
Addressing the underlying charges, Torreon maintained that if the administration believes Dela Rosa violated domestic statutes, formal charges should be submitted to local courts rather than turning him over to an international tribunal.
“We respectfully submit that if the Philippine Government believes that Senator dela Rosa committed offenses punishable under Philippine law, then the appropriate course is to bring the proper cases before Philippine courts,” Torreon said.
He urged the government to prioritize national sovereignty and the credibility of the domestic judicial system over aiding an international court in the custody transfer of a citizen.
Furthermore, Torreon called on Remulla to persuade President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reconsider the administration’s policy regarding cooperation with the ICC.
“We respectfully appeal to him to exert whatever lawful influence he may have upon the President to reconsider – and, we hope, make a detour from – the present policy of facilitating the surrender of Filipino citizens to the International Criminal Court,” Torreon said.
The attorney stressed that the plea was not intended to help the senator evade accountability, but rather to ensure that any legal proceedings adhere strictly to the Philippine Constitution through local judicial channels.
Expressing hope for a peaceful resolution, Torreon stated that he preferred the matter to be handled through “law, reason, and respect for our constitutional institutions,” rather than references to violence or “body bags”.
Dela Rosa faces an ICC-issued warrant of arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, specifically murder, stemming from the anti-illegal drug campaign during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.