Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Thursday issued a stern warning that individuals assisting Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in evading arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant will face legal repercussions under both domestic and international law.
Vida confirmed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have been officially authorized to execute the ICC arrest order against Dela Rosa.
The senator faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to the controversial anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.
“Those who might be aiding, abetting, or helping Sen. Bato evade the law, there are consequences. We know that under the rule of law, there is accountability. If (he is) hidden, it is not only in the eyes of Philippine law but also under the law of the ICC, because this is a validly issued arrest warrant,” Vida stated during a press briefing.
The Justice chief clarified that the enforcement of the warrant is an exercise of the government’s duty to uphold justice rather than a politically driven move.
He highlighted the long-standing quest for justice by the families of the victims.
“We must remember that these victims’ search for justice started in 2017. Hundreds of youth, even toddlers, you give full account to all these, all the Filipinos who lost their lives,” Vida remarked.
He further emphasized the state’s responsibility to act on behalf of those who can no longer defend themselves.
“Those who died can no longer hire lawyers or seek temporary restraining orders for themselves, making it the absolute obligation of the government to step in, support their families, and ensure accountability is achieved and part of this is the arrest of Senator Bato,” he added.
The issuance of the ICC warrant has intensified political tensions, triggering a high-stakes standoff within the Senate before Dela Rosa eventually left the premises after initially being placed under legislative protective custody.