NBI Appeals to Senator Dela Rosa for Peaceful Surrender
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has appealed to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to peacefully surrender following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was the response of NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag after Dela Rosa declared that he would not heed the call of minority senators to give himself up.
Matibag emphasized that as a former law enforcer, Dela Rosa is well aware of the legal process and has often advised warrant subjects to surrender properly. According to the NBI Director, the appeal aims to avoid any disturbance or chase and to face legal accountability.
Matibag stressed that the warrant comes from a “competent court” that must be respected. He warned that if the senator refuses to surrender, a chase is possible because it is the mandate of law enforcement to implement the law to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
It will be recalled that authorities failed to serve the warrant on Dela Rosa last Monday after an attempted arrest turned into a chase, leading the lawmaker to be placed under the protective custody of the Senate until now.
