Post by : Shakul

The Philippine government has warned Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa against attempting to flee the country after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant related to the country’s deadly anti-drug campaign. Authorities said any effort to leave the Philippines would be treated seriously and immediate action would be taken.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed that Manila had officially received the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. However, the government is currently waiting for the Philippine Supreme Court to decide on Dela Rosa’s legal petition challenging the validity of the warrant before moving forward with enforcement procedures.

Dela Rosa, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, reportedly avoided arrest earlier this week after seeking protection inside the Philippine Senate building. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano allegedly prevented law enforcement officers from carrying out the arrest at the time. The senator later left the building without publicly revealing his location.

The International Criminal Court unsealed the arrest warrant on Monday, accusing Dela Rosa and other alleged co-perpetrators of crimes against humanity connected to killings during Duterte’s anti-drug operations. Human rights groups have long accused the campaign of involving unlawful killings of suspected drug users and low-level narcotics dealers.

Dela Rosa served as the chief of the Philippine National Police between 2016 and 2018 during the early years of Duterte’s controversial drug war. He later entered politics and was elected to the Senate in 2019, eventually securing a second term in office.

According to officials, border agencies and law enforcement teams across the country have now been instructed to closely monitor any possible attempt by Dela Rosa to leave the Philippines. Authorities stated that if he attempts international travel, appropriate legal action and arrest procedures would immediately follow.

The case has further intensified political tensions in the Philippines as supporters of Duterte continue defending the anti-drug campaign, arguing that it helped reduce criminal activity. Critics, however, insist that thousands of innocent lives were lost during the crackdown and that accountability is necessary.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself was arrested last year and transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands, where he is currently awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court. Dela Rosa has stated that if charges are filed against him, he would prefer to face trial inside the Philippines rather than before an international court.

#world news #Asia News #Philippines