Sen. Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday invoked the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) hymn as he defended his refusal to submit to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he and fellow soldiers would never allow themselves to be “oppressed by foreigners.”
Speaking in an interview with GMA News, dela Rosa quoted a portion of the PMA hymn that he said reflects the values of courage, integrity, loyalty, and patriotism instilled in cadets.
“I would like to dedicate to you a very famous line sa Philippine Military Academy hymn,” dela Rosa said. “When bells for us are rung / And our last taps is sung / Let generations see / Our country free.”
“’Yon po ang pinakabuod ng aming PMA hymn. Lahat kami ay ayaw magpa-oppress sa mga dayuhan (That is the very essence of our PMA hymn. All of us do not want to be oppressed by foreigners),” he added.
The senator said many Filipinos and soldiers had already died defending the country’s sovereignty in past wars, adding that he opposes being placed under foreign jurisdiction.
“Marami tayong mga bayani na namatay noon pa sa ilang giyera na nagdaan dahil sa paglalaban sa ating soberaniya na ayaw nating magpapa-under diyan sa mga dayuhan (Many of our heroes died in past wars defending our sovereignty because we do not want to be under foreigners.),” dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa made the remarks as he continues to contest the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines amid reports of a possible arrest warrant linked to the tribunal’s investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte and the government’s anti-drug campaign.
The former Philippine National Police chief has repeatedly insisted that any attempt to enforce an ICC warrant in the Philippines must first pass through local courts.