Several lawmakers on Wednesday urged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender to authorities following the Supreme Court’s refusal to issue temporary protection against a possible arrest tied to his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Supreme Court En Banc voted 9-5-1 to deny dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and status quo ante order (SQAO), which sought to block the implementation of a possible ICC warrant.
Former senator and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the ruling should prompt dela Rosa to face the charges instead of allegedly evading authorities.
“Ang tumatakbo ng matulin, kung matinik ay malalim. Sa decision ng SC, dapat sumuko na si Bato,” De Lima said.
“Due process pa ito sa kanya, di tulad ng libo-libong Pilipino na pinapatay nila,” she added, referring to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña said the High Court’s decision should serve as a signal for law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to locate dela Rosa.
He also warned that individuals allegedly helping the senator evade authorities could also face accountability.
“There should be no safe quarters for those with blood of thousands on their hands. Kahit ang mga nagkakanlong sa mga pugante ay dapat mapanagot,” he said.
The Makabayan bloc likewise welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it prevented what they described as attempts to delay justice through legal technicalities.
“This ruling is important. It affirms that attempts to block arrest through last-minute petitions and technical maneuvers should not be used to frustrate justice,” the bloc said in a statement.
The group also rejected claims by Duterte allies that a local Philippine court warrant was necessary before an ICC arrest could be enforced, calling the argument a tactic to delay accountability.
Makabayan lawmakers ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co urged the Marcos administration and concerned government agencies to immediately carry out their responsibilities if an arrest order is issued.
Among the agencies named were the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The lawmakers also reiterated their call for dela Rosa to surrender and face the accusations before the ICC.
“A public official who helped implement a policy that resulted in mass killings cannot demand special treatment when he is finally made to answer,” the bloc said.
Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, is facing allegations linked to the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign, which is under investigation by the ICC for possible crimes against humanity.