Philippines seeks Interpol red notice vs Bato

MANILA, Philippines — The government is applying for an Interpol red notice against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa who has been in hiding for months since the issuance of a warrant for his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.

Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Polo Martinez revealed the development when asked if the government has already alerted law enforcement agencies around the globe to the issuance of an ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.

“As far as I know, there is an application for an Interpol red notice. That is a remedy available to us,” Martinez said.

In its website, the Interpol said a red notice “is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.”

Martinez also maintained that there is no need for a court to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against Dela Rosa since he does not face any case before domestic courts.

“You can’t apply for a hold departure order because there’s no existing case against him. You may apply for a PHDO (precautionary HDO), but even then, there will have to be a case and preliminary investigation, both of which can only be applied for in the courts,” he added.

Martinez recalled the DOJ placed Dela Rosa under an immigration lookout bulletin order. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Dela Rosa’s inclusion in ILBO came after his clandestine pre-dawn departure from the Senate hours after a shooting incident that sparked mayhem in the chamber.

In a text message, Palace press officer Claire Castro said Dela Rosa can rest assured that his rights are protected in case he gets served the ICC arrest warrant.

“The DOJ clearly stated that the arrest warrant against Senator Bato is already enforceable. Appropriate action that is in accordance with the law can be expected from the government,” Castro said. “Our officials will do everything to serve justice to everyone.”

On criticism raised by former senator Franklin Drilon that agencies appear to be unsure which of them should serve the arrest warrant, Castro said that while the administration understands his view, “we take a somewhat different stance because the administration only acts in accordance with the law, regulations and facts.”

“We stay focused without acting carelessly,” she added.

International help for arrest sought

Relatives of some victims of the Duterte administration’s deadly campaign against illegal drugs are urging the international community to help secure the immediate arrest of Dela Rosa.

In an open letter, the Rise Up for Life and for Rights has called on foreign governments, international institutions, human rights bodies and other civil society organizations to publicly call for Dela Rosa’s arrest and pressed the Marcos administration to fully cooperate with the ICC.

“We ask your help in convincing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to arrest and surrender Sen. Bato without delay, and to ensure that all co-perpetrators with warrants of arrest are likewise surrendered to the ICC,” the group said.

“This is the right thing to do as an international obligation under universal jurisdiction; as a response to a high crime — a crime against the collective conscience of humanity; and as part of the duty to protect Filipino citizens and allow justice for our families,” it added.

The victims’ families urged Marcos to assure the international community that crimes against humanity “will not find a haven of impunity” in the Philippines.

Dela Rosa, a former police chief, was the chief implementer of the war on drugs.

“In the interest of justice, respect for due process, and the healing of our families and communities, Sen. Bato dela Rosa should be arrested and surrendered to the ICC immediately,” Rise Up added.

The ICC on May 11 unsealed the warrant issued against Dela Rosa in November last year.

The senator, who again went into hiding after surfacing to vote in the leadership change at the Senate, failed to secure a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court.

The DOJ on Thursday said the ICC warrant is valid and that the senator is now considered a fugitive.

Meanwhile, retired associate justice Adolfo Azcuna said it would be better for the government to wait first for the Supreme Court to resolve the “main issues” raised by Dela Rosa’s camp before enforcing his arrest.

After rejecting Dela Rosa’s petition for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, the SC said it would release its full resolution as well as the separate concurring and dissenting opinions of the justices on Monday.

“I think, there’s a need for parties to await first the Supreme Court ruling on the principal case. The SC said the main issue is still pending – the effect of an international arrest warrant on the Philippines,” Azcuna said in Filipino in an interview over radio dzBB. – Alexis Romero