The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday defended its handling of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, saying its actions were guided by due process and existing legal procedures, not reluctance to enforce the law.
In a statement, the DILG clarified that the government’s position was anchored on Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9851, which provides that the Philippines may either surrender an individual wanted for alleged crimes against humanity to the ICC or pursue prosecution through local courts.
The department noted that while the ICC had issued a warrant involving Dela Rosa, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier instructed concerned agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the DILG, to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the enforceability of the warrant in the absence of a corresponding Philippine court order.
The DILG also cited the earlier clarification made by Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida that there was “no order for manhunt” against Dela Rosa and that any enforcement action remained conditional pending Supreme Court proceedings.
Authorities likewise pointed to the Senate’s earlier decision to place Dela Rosa under protective custody as part of the legal and procedural considerations surrounding the issue.
“The DILG, as the supervising department of the PNP, remains duty-bound to operate strictly within the bounds of the Constitution, existing laws, and lawful orders issued by competent authorities,” the department said.
“These are not acts of inaction, but adherence to constitutional order, due process, and the rule of law,” it added.
The DILG maintained that it remains committed to carrying out law enforcement functions “firmly, professionally, and always within the framework of due process and democratic institutions.”