Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), is now a fugitive sought by law enforcement after the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, issued an arrest warrant against him. The warrant stems from the bloody war on illegal drugs, with trials expected to begin later this year.
Supreme Court Denies TRO
Dela Rosa filed a petition with the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the ICC warrant. However, on May 20, the high court denied the TRO petition in a 9-5-1 vote. The justices who voted against the TRO stated that the Supreme Court should not be a "doormat for the wiping clean of those who are charged with blood on their hands."
Background of the Case
Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018 and implemented the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now in ICC custody facing crimes against humanity charges. Dela Rosa is identified as one of the co-perpetrators in the cases against Duterte. Between 12,000 and 30,000 people were killed in Duterte's drug war, according to an investigation by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.
Allegations of Bad Faith
Associate Justice Filomena Singh, one of the nine justices who opposed the TRO, called it "bad faith" that Dela Rosa had been in hiding for six months, only to emerge suddenly to vote for the new Senate president, then go back into hiding. Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, in his opinion, said the Supreme Court should ensure it is not turned into a "politically convenient doormat."
Second Fugitive PNP Chief
Dela Rosa is the second former PNP chief to go into hiding. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson also went into hiding in 2010 but called himself a "fugitive from injustice." He resurfaced in 2011 when the cases against him were dismissed by the court and is now an incumbent senator.
