Philippines Asks Supreme Court to Allow ICC Arrest of Senator Dela Rosa
The Philippines has sought permission from its Supreme Court to detain and extradite Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who is accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity in connection with the country's controversial drug war.
MANILA: The Philippines stated it has petitioned the nation’s Supreme Court to enable the arrest and trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief anti-drug enforcer, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, within an international jurisdiction.
According to legal documents released on May 16, the country’s Solicitor-General, Darlene Berberabe, argued against Dela Rosa's requests for immunity from arrest.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had previously issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, alongside Duterte and other alleged co-perpetrators, citing murder as a crime against humanity related to the Philippines’ drug war.
Dela Rosa sought refuge in the Senate last week after attempting to evade the ICC arrest.
Berberabe contended that his actions put him outside legal protection and demanded that he be treated as a fugitive from justice until he surrenders to lawful authorities.
Dela Rosa’s current location remains unknown following his departure from the Senate building on Thursday.
The Department of Justice has indicated that it will serve the ICC warrant once the Supreme Court renders its decision on Dela Rosa's request for protection.
If he attempts to flee abroad, he would be detained immediately.
Dela Rosa asserts that the ICC warrant is invalid since the Philippines withdrew from the treaty establishing the court in 2019.
Berberabe argued that withdrawal from the treaty does not exempt a state from cooperating with ongoing ICC proceedings.
The ICC prosecutor initiated an investigation into the Philippine drug war crackdown in 2018, which led to thousands of deaths, primarily targeting drug users and low-level dealers according to human rights monitors.
The legal battle comes after Duterte’s arrest in March 2021, where he was extradited to the Netherlands to face trial.
Dela Rosa served as national police chief from 2016 to 2018 before his election to the Senate in 2019, retaining his seat in the following year's elections.
According to legal documents released on May 16, the country’s Solicitor-General, Darlene Berberabe, argued against Dela Rosa's requests for immunity from arrest.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had previously issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, alongside Duterte and other alleged co-perpetrators, citing murder as a crime against humanity related to the Philippines’ drug war.
Dela Rosa sought refuge in the Senate last week after attempting to evade the ICC arrest.
Berberabe contended that his actions put him outside legal protection and demanded that he be treated as a fugitive from justice until he surrenders to lawful authorities.
Dela Rosa’s current location remains unknown following his departure from the Senate building on Thursday.
The Department of Justice has indicated that it will serve the ICC warrant once the Supreme Court renders its decision on Dela Rosa's request for protection.
If he attempts to flee abroad, he would be detained immediately.
Dela Rosa asserts that the ICC warrant is invalid since the Philippines withdrew from the treaty establishing the court in 2019.
Berberabe argued that withdrawal from the treaty does not exempt a state from cooperating with ongoing ICC proceedings.
The ICC prosecutor initiated an investigation into the Philippine drug war crackdown in 2018, which led to thousands of deaths, primarily targeting drug users and low-level dealers according to human rights monitors.
The legal battle comes after Duterte’s arrest in March 2021, where he was extradited to the Netherlands to face trial.
Dela Rosa served as national police chief from 2016 to 2018 before his election to the Senate in 2019, retaining his seat in the following year's elections.
