(DC file photo)
Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed allegations that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is being politically persecuted, stressing that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged crimes against humanity began in 2017, years before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICC proceedings originated during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, when Marcos was still a private citizen.
“Tandaan po natin na ‘yung kaso sa ICC, nagsimula ito 2017. Pangulo pa po si dating pangulong Duterte at at that time, private citizen pa po si Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Castro said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro.
“Para sabihin na political persecution ito, parang medyo malayo po. Huwag nating ikonekta kasi kaso na po iyan 2017 pa,” she added.
Castro maintained that the ICC case should not be linked to political motives involving the current administration, citing the timeline of the international tribunal’s investigation.
She also invoked Section 17 of Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, in explaining the legal basis for allowing proceedings involving international crimes to continue before international tribunals.
According to Castro, the Philippines recognized the ICC’s authority when it was still a member of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the international court.
“Kapag na-start na po ang isang paglilitis o pagdidinig o pag-iimbestiga sa isang international court, puwede po na doon na hayaan na tuluy-tuloy maimbestigahan sa international court,” she explained.
The Palace official insisted that recognizing the ICC’s role in the investigation does not constitute a violation of Philippine law.
Castro also addressed arguments questioning the enforcement of an ICC arrest warrant in the absence of a corresponding warrant issued by a Philippine court.
“Wala naman po tayong nilalabag na batas patungkol doon. Kaya ‘yung sinasabi nila na walang warrant of arrest na issue dito, tandaan po natin, noong member po tayo ng ICC ay kinikilala natin ang ICC,” she said.
She further clarified that the ICC is an international judicial institution rather than a foreign state, rejecting the characterization that cooperation with the tribunal necessarily amounts to surrendering a Filipino citizen to another country.
“Hindi natin sinasabi na ‘yung ICC at that time ay banyaga, na parang sinu-surrender natin ang isang tao sa isang banyaga. Hindi po kasi unang-una, hindi po state ang International Criminal Court,” Castro added.
Beyond the legal arguments, Castro urged the public to consider the families of victims of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign who continue to seek accountability and justice.
She emphasized that discussions surrounding the ICC investigation should not focus solely on Dela Rosa and other officials allegedly involved in the anti-drug operations.
“Isipin natin bilang Pilipino na merong ibang mga Pilipino rin na umiiyak, na nakakaranas ng sama ng loob dahil hanggang ngayon, pakiramdam nila ay wala pa silang nakukuhang sapat at tunay na hustisya,” Castro said.
The ICC investigation concerns alleged crimes against humanity arising from the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, during which Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police.
Dela Rosa’s camp has renewed its request for a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court to prevent Philippine authorities from enforcing an ICC arrest warrant against him.
The senator has not been convicted of the allegations and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on his camp’s renewed request for judicial intervention.
