The camp of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has questioned the legal basis of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s ₱50 million reward for information on the senator’s whereabouts.
Atty. Israelito Torreon, Dela Rosa’s lawyer, said the government has an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which did not go through the process of a Philippine court.
Torreon said the senator’s camp had no further comment on the one-week ultimatum given to Dela Rosa to surrender.
The ICC warrant is connected to a crimes against humanity case linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
The lawyer also emphasized that the ICC is a foreign tribunal and that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute took effect on March 17, 2019.
The Department of Justice has identified Dela Rosa as a fugitive from justice and sought a red notice through Interpol.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla described the senator as “armed and dangerous” and announced a ₱50 million reward for anyone who can provide information that would help authorities determine his whereabouts.
Dela Rosa’s camp has challenged the legal basis for the reward, while authorities have linked the senator to the ICC warrant and related proceedings.
The reward announcement and the surrender ultimatum have placed renewed attention on the legal questions surrounding the ICC warrant, the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the government’s efforts to locate the senator.
