Manila, Philippines. Senator Ronald dela Rosa urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr not to hand him over to the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, while saying he was prepared to face justice at home. Dela Rosa remained in his legislative office for a second day amid fears of arrest.
ICC warrant and protective custody
The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant on Monday for former police chief dela Rosa, dated November, on suspicion of crimes against humanity. The same crimes are alleged against former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte, 81, who is awaiting trial in The Hague following his arrest last year.
Dela Rosa, known as “Bato”, has been under the protective custody of the Senate since law enforcement agents entered the building on Monday, when he appeared in public for the first time since November. He has denied involvement in illegal killings.
Appeal to President Marcos
Dela Rosa told reporters he hoped Marcos, “as the father of the nation,” would “take care of all Filipinos,” adding that caring for people is the role of government. He said he had served faithfully and did not enrich himself, with tears in his eyes.
He also told Marcos that he may face a similar situation one day and would then understand how he feels.
Background on the drug war
Dela Rosa was Duterte’s top lieutenant and oversaw a crackdown in which police say more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers were killed in official operations. Thousands of users were also killed in slumland murders that have been blamed on vigilantes or turf wars.
Police have said those killed in operations resisted arrest and have rejected activists’ allegations of systematic murders and cover-ups.
Security outside the Senate
On Tuesday, police stood behind riot shields outside the Senate, where all committee meetings were cancelled after scenes a day earlier in which dela Rosa was seen rushing to his office as agents from the National Bureau of Investigation arrived.
What do you think President Marcos should do in response to dela Rosa’s request?
