Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he is considering hiding from authorities rather than surrender to the International Criminal Court should it move to have him arrested as a co-conspirator in the crime against humanity case faced by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“If we do not see any justice here in our country, why would you surrender?” Dela Rosa said. “That (not surrendering) is part of the course of action that can be done.”
Asked if he is also thinking about hiding from authorities, Dela Rosa said: “That’s included. That’s included in our courses of action.”
He thanked Senate President Escudero for allowing him to stay in the Senate until all legal remedies are exhausted, but admitted he cannot stay at the Upper Chamber “forever.”
“I thank the Senate President that he’s willing to protect me while I am still a Senator of this Republic. It shows that the Senate, as an institution, stands for what is right,” he said.
Dela Rosa was Duterte’s national police chief who implemented the war on drugs of the previous administration.
The ICC earlier identified nine of Duterte’s co-perpetrators in the arrest warrant served against the former President.
While the names of the nine were redacted, Dela Rosa’s name was mentioned in the warrant.
Escudero earlier explained that protecting a fellow senator is not about defying the law but ensuring due process is followed.
Dela Rosa has publicly declared that he would seek “Senate protection” if an arrest warrant is issued.
“It’s not in the law, but it is part of the Senate rules and based on institutional courtesy. It’s not meant to last forever, only until he is given enough time for his judicial remedies to be clarified or decided,” Escudero said.
Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, for his part, said he is also preparing for a possible arrest warrant from the ICC.
“Let’s just wait because that is just all speculation as of this time…Although we are preparing for that,” Albayalde said.
“We can exhaust all legal means. But at the end of the day, it is still the government’s decision,” he added.