Victims of the government’s anti-drug campaign on Thursday appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to implement the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity.
Gilbert Andres, common legal representative of the victims, said: “The Philippine Government’s previous implementation of an ICC warrant against Rodrigo Duterte already demonstrated that Philippine authorities recognize the continuing legal effect of ICC processes in relation to international crimes, such as crimes against humanity, committed during the period of Philippine membership in the Rome Statute.”
“The ICC arrest warrant against Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa should not be any different from the implementation of an ICC arrest warrant against Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said law enforcement agencies have been tasked to enforce the arrest warrant following the Supreme Court’s denial of dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop his arrest.
Andres said the high court’s denial means there is no legal impediment preventing the President from implementing the ICC warrant, citing Republic Act No. 9851, which recognizes crimes against humanity under Philippine law.
He added that the immediate arrest and surrender of dela Rosa to the ICC would be consistent with the Philippines’ obligations under the Constitution, domestic law and international law.
