Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – Photo courtesy of Bato Dela Rosa/Facebook.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Thursday confirmed that authorities had been instructed to carry out the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
Vida said the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation were already tasked to locate and arrest the senator following the issuance of the ICC order.
“I would like to confirm that the Philippine law enforcement agencies, which would include the PNP and the NBI, are now tasked to effect the arrest of Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa,” Vida said during a press briefing.
The justice chief said the warrant remains enforceable after the Supreme Court rejected Dela Rosa’s plea for a temporary restraining order.
Vida noted that the senator faces allegations linked to crimes against humanity before the ICC.
“He is charged as a co-perpetrator in the crime against humanity,” Vida said.
He also said authorities no longer consider Dela Rosa under Senate protection and described him as “a fugitive from justice” who must answer the charges before the international tribunal.
The Department of Justice issued the statement a day after the High Court declined to stop the implementation of the arrest order while the main petition remains unresolved.
The Office of the Solicitor General earlier maintained that there were no legal barriers preventing law enforcers from serving the ICC warrant after the denial of the restraining order request.
Vida added that investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage, including video showing Dela Rosa leaving the Senate compound before dawn on May 14 with Senator Robin Padilla, while additional recordings from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have also been requested.