National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said that the agency is set to serve the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald dela Rosa as ordered by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The order is to arrest Senator Dela Rosa, so we’ll do so without delay,” said Matibag in the agency’s official statement, adding that the NBI will carry out the arrest by “strictly abiding by the rules and ensure it is done professionally, as we always do.”
“Fugitive Senator Dela Rosa will be arrested whether he likes it or not because we have to implement the law without fear or favor,” Matibag added.
The NBI chief said that the agency has been consistent in its position that Dela Rosa must be arrested based on the ICC arrest warrant issued against the senator for the case for crimes against humanity related to the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
Meanwhile, in a press conference with Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Matibag urged the public to avoid sending or posting false information online about the whereabouts of Dela Rosa. Those who will give false information may be considered aiding the fugitive as well.
“Kapag nalaman namin na sinasadya na yan, you also have a responsibility under the law. If you are aiding and abetting somebody who is a fugitive from justice, obstruction of justice by harboring a criminal na yan,” Matibag explained.