Philippine senator escapes arrest as ICC confirms drug war warrant
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa will be treated as if in the custody of the Senate
Philippine authorities said on Monday they would not arrest for now a lawmaker wanted by the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, capping a lengthy Senate stand-off.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who served as police chief and Duterte’s top enforcer during the bloody drug crackdown, will be treated as if in the custody of the Senate, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag told reporters after the politician had taken refuge in the legislative building.
“We respect that they are a coequal branch,” Matibag said after the Senate refused to allow Dela Rosa, better known by his nickname “Bato”, to be arrested.
“We are hoping that if Senator Bato needs to respond to whatever he is legally required to answer … the Senate will be ready to present Senator Bato,” Matibag added.
The Senate had earlier been on “lockdown”, officers told AFP journalists who saw barbed wire and riot police surrounding the compound’s closed gates.
A group of about 50 protesters outside screamed “NBI go home!” at the officers who had come to arrest Dela Rosa, who before Monday had not been seen publicly since November.