Dela Rosa salutes Marcos for rejecting ICC probe into drug war
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — Senator Bato dela Rosa has commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for clearly stating that the administration will not help the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into the Duterte government’s bloody drug war where the lawmaker served as police chief.
“I salute the president for his bold statements,” Dela Rosa told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday.
Marcos has reiterated the stand of his administration that it will not assist the international court in its drug war probe, calling the ICC a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Amid claims that ICC investigators have already completed their probe into the controversial war against illegal drugs, Dela Rosa on Monday urged the Marcos government to "be man enough" and tell him its "real" stance regarding the matter.
The senator clarified on Wednesday that he did not doubt the chief executive. He just wanted Marcos to make clarificatory statements to end all speculations.
“Tapos na ang usapan diyan. 'Yung mga bleeding hearts diyan na gustong gusto talaga kami ni former President [Rodrigo] Duterte na makulong doon sa The Hague, ba-bye na lang, tapos na,” Dela Rosa added.
[Translation: The conversion is over. Those bleeding hearts who want me and former President Duterte imprisoned in The Hague, I just say good bye, this is done.]
He also said the entry of ICC officials was useless since they were not able to conduct an impartial and objective investigation if they will only hear one side.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed the ICC has completed its investigation "as far as the principal accused is concerned,” who is Duterte. He added an arrest warrant may be issued by the second quarter of 2024.
Dela Rosa said he does not believe Trillanes, whom he called a destabilizer who only wants to cause a rift between the Dutertes and the current administration.
“Nararapat lang rin sa kanila na mangarap na maging successful 'yung ICC dito sa ating bansa pero hanggang pangarap lang 'yun,” Dela Rosa said.
[Translation: It is just right for them to dream that the ICC will be successful in the country but that is only a dream.]
“’Yun ang motibo niya (That’s his motive) to destabilize the relationship of the Dutertes and the Marcoses,” he added.
Dela Rosa admitted he fears being away from his loved ones should he be jailed.
“Takot ko lang makulong, mapalayo ako sa mga apo ko." he stressed. "'Yun ang kinatakutan ko. I love my apo very much tapos lalaki sila na wala silang lolo. Pa'no ko dadalhin sa The Hague 'yun just in case makulong ako? 'Yun lang kinatakutan ko, mapalayo sa mga mahal ko sa buhay."
[Translation: I'm afraid of going to jail and be separated from my grandchildren. That's what I am afraid of. I love my grandchildren very much, and they would grow up without a grandfather. How can I bring that to The Hague just in case I get jailed? That's all I'm afraid of, being away from my loved ones.]
Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief when the illegal drug campaign was implemented.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Benhur Abalos said the ICC had made no attempts to communicate as far as his agency was concerned.
“We will follow the lead of the president,” he added, referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s statement that the government would not lift a finger to aid the tribunal.
Rep. Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan Partylist, meanwhile, called on Dela Rosa to "be brave enough to face any possible charges or be held accountable."
"Hindi pang-aapi ang imbestigasyon. Suwerte pa nga ni Sen. Bato dahil binibigyan pa siya ng due process at pagkakataong magpaliwanag, ‘di tulad ng libo-libong mga Pilipino, lalo mga kabataan, na pinatay sa pekeng giyera kontra droga dahil lang pinaghinalaan ng mga pulis," he added.
[Translation: Investigation is not oppression. Sen. Bato is even lucky that he is being given due process and the chance to explain, unlike the thousands of Filipinos, especially the youth, who were killed in the fake war against drugs just because they were suspected by the police]
