Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa warned of legal implications if the Philippine authorities will continue to implement any arrest warrant from International Criminal Court (ICC).
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief made the remark as he joined the thousands of Filipinos in a rally calling for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the Liwasang Bonifacio on March 15.
Duterte and Dela Rosa earlier filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to permanently prohibit the Philippine government from cooperating with the ICC.
“Pagdating ng araw na lalabas ‘yung warrant of arrest ko, huhulihin ako ng PNP, ito ang masasabi ko sa inyo, ito lang ang masasabi ko sa inyo, lahat nang ginagawa nila ay ilegal kasi ‘yung warrant of arrest na kanilang sine-serve sa atin, hindi ‘yan nanggagaling sa competent authority,” the Mindanaoan lawmaker emphasized.
“Hindi ‘yan nanggagaling sa local natin. Hindi ‘yan nire-recognize natin dahil hindi tayo under sa kanila. Kaya dapat magkakaisa tayo,” he added.
Dela Rosa slammed the current administration’s “injustice” as they use their power against the will of the people.
“We’re very much divided. Mabuti sana kung ang division ay 50-50! Ako hindi ako statistician pero alam ko ang division ay nasa 80-20. 80 tayo, 20 lang sila! Pero ‘yung 20 na ‘yan, sila ang may hawak ng poder ng gobyerno kaya tayong otsenta, kaya tayong majority, tahimik lang ang mga tao dahil nagtitimpi lang ang mga tao,” he said.
“Kawawa ang Pilipinas! Ganito na lang ba tayo?” Dela Rosa lamented.
Although he is calling the Filipinos to unite in opposing ICC’s interference in the country, Dela Rosa appealed for “sobriety.”
“Ako po’y nakikiusap sa inyo na kahit kayo’y galit na galit na, kahit kayo’y nanggigigil na ng husto diyan dahil sa inhustisya na ginagawa nila, ako pa rin ang nakikiusap sa inyo, I am appealing for your sobriety. Sana kalma lang tayo,” he said.
“Huwag natin silang bigyan ng rason para magdeklara ng Martial Law. Kailangan tayong lahat ay kalma lamang pero solid, nagkaisa at gustong-gusto na ibalik si Pangulong Duterte dito! Bring him home!” Dela Rosa ended.
Duterte and Dela Rosa earlier filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to permanently prohibit the Philippine government from cooperating with the ICC.
Dela Rosa was Duterte’s chief implementor of his war on drugs where at least 1.6 million drug dependents surrendered to the government.
The reelectionist senator has maintained that there was a need to implement a war on drugs to eradicate the cause of heinous crimes in the country.
