Malacañang on Wednesday rejected claims that fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is being politically persecuted, pointing out that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged crimes linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign began in 2017, before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the investigation started during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, when Marcos was still a private citizen.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro, Castro questioned the claim that the case against Dela Rosa was politically motivated.
“Tandaan po natin na ‘yung kaso sa ICC, nagsimula ito 2017. Pangulo pa po si dating pangulong Duterte at at that time, private citizen pa po si Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” she said.
“Para sabihin na political persecution ito, parang medyo malayo po. Huwag nating ikonekta kasi kaso na po iyan 2017 pa,” she added.
Castro also cited Section 17 of Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, in explaining the government’s position on proceedings involving international crimes.
She said the Philippines recognized the ICC’s authority while it was still a member of the tribunal and maintained that the government was not violating the law by recognizing the court’s role in the case.
“Kapag na-start na po ang isang paglilitis o pagdidinig o pag-iimbestiga sa isang international court, puwede po na doon na hayaan na tuluy-tuloy maimbestigahan sa international court,” Castro said.
She also rejected arguments that recognizing the ICC’s role amounted to surrendering a Filipino to a foreign country, emphasizing that the tribunal is not a state.
“Wala naman po tayong nilalabag na batas patungkol doon. Kaya ‘yung sinasabi nila na walang warrant of arrest na issue dito, tandaan po natin, noong member po tayo ng ICC ay kinikilala natin ang ICC,” she said.
“Hindi natin sinasabi na ‘yung ICC at that time ay banyaga, na parang sinu-surrender natin ang isang tao sa isang banyaga. Hindi po kasi unang-una, hindi po state ang International Criminal Court,” she added.
Castro urged the public to consider the experiences of victims and their families in discussions about Dela Rosa and other individuals allegedly involved in the anti-drug campaign.
She said some families continued to feel that they had not received justice for the deaths of their loved ones.
“Isipin natin bilang Pilipino na merong ibang mga Pilipino rin na umiiyak, na nakakaranas ng sama ng loob dahil hanggang ngayon, pakiramdam nila ay wala pa silang nakukuhang sapat at tunay na hustisya,” she said.
The ICC investigation concerns alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, during which Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police.
📷 Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa / Facebook
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