The wife of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has issued a public appeal urging the judiciary not to allow his possible transfer to The Hague in connection with proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC), as legal questions continue to surround the case involving the former administration’s drug war.
Grace Nancy Dela Rosa made the appeal through a social media post, calling on the judiciary to assert jurisdiction locally and to act swiftly amid ongoing legal developments.
The senator is facing an ICC arrest warrant linked to alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In her appeal, she urged the courts not to allow her husband’s transfer abroad, saying: “Please do not be an accessory to bringing my husband to the Hague.”
She also stressed her position that domestic jurisdiction should be upheld, stating: “Every Filipino must be tried in his own country.”
Dela Rosa questioned the implications of allowing international proceedings to move forward, adding that such action would reflect on the country’s capacity to handle the case internally.
She further called on the judiciary to act decisively on the jurisdiction issue, warning against prolonged legal uncertainty.
“We do not have the luxury of time to wait for your technical arguments and debates. Every moment you remain undecided is an opportunity for them to close in on Bato,” she said.
The senator’s wife also appealed to the public to amplify her statement, saying the issue extends beyond her family and involves broader national concerns over legal authority and sovereignty.
The appeal comes amid continued legal discussion on whether the ICC has jurisdiction over cases linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug operations, as Philippine courts have yet to issue a definitive ruling on key petitions related to the matter.
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