Following the issuance of an arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte, questions are now being raised over whether Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could be the next to face legal action from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin recently stated that the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is prepared to cooperate with Interpol if the ICC issues a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa.
“If… there is [an Interpol notice], we proceed. But if the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling that [says] you must afford full due process before you surrender anyone, that’s what we are going to do,” Bersamin told Kyodo News.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs” from 2016 to 2018, a campaign widely criticized for alleged extrajudicial killings.
Despite the possible looming warrant, Senator Dela Rosa appeared unfazed.
Responding with a tone of humor, he said, “Nabibingi na ang tao sa kakaulit-ulit ng issue na yan. Wala pa rin naman palang warrant. [If] lang naman daw,”
He added, “I will cross the bridge when the bridge is constructed. Paayos nyo muna sa DPWH ‘yung bridge bago ako tumawid.”