Malacañang on Monday called on Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to face the legal process following reports of an alleged warrant of arrest issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said dela Rosa should come forward if he believes he has done nothing wrong.
According to Castro, this would help avoid a repeat of the tensions and lengthy operations conducted by authorities during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She also said the government wants to prevent the prolonged use of state resources in implementing arrest operations connected to ICC-related cases.
Castro added that dela Rosa, being a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), is fully aware of how law enforcement procedures work, especially in situations involving warrants of arrest.
The Palace official made the statement amid discussions surrounding reports that the ICC may issue or has issued an arrest warrant against dela Rosa in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa served as PNP chief during the height of the government’s war on drugs under Duterte and was one of the key officials linked to the campaign.
The ICC has been conducting investigations into alleged crimes against humanity tied to anti-drug operations carried out during Duterte’s presidency.
As of posting time, dela Rosa has yet to issue a new statement regarding Castro’s remarks and the reported ICC warrant issue.
