MANILA — The wife of Senm Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa made a public appeal to the judiciary on Monday, urging courts to stop any move that could bring the senator before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign.
In a social media post, Grace Nancy Dela Rosa pleaded with the country’s courts not to allow what she described as the surrender of another Filipino citizen to a foreign tribunal, warning that such a move would signal the failure of Philippine institutions to dispense justice on their own.
“Please do not be an accessory to bringing my husband to The Hague. Every Filipino must be tried in his own country,” she said.
Her appeal came amid growing speculation that authorities could enforce the ICC arrest warrant issued against the senator, who served as Philippine National Police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
Grace Nancy said permitting the ICC to take custody of her husband would undermine the country’s sovereignty and judicial capability.
“Granting the people in power permission to voluntarily surrender another Filipino is an admission that you are weak and INCAPABLE of handling this case, thus the need for an international court to intervene,” she added.
She also pressed the judiciary to immediately settle lingering legal questions surrounding the ICC’s jurisdiction over Filipino citizens, stressing that time was running out.
“Please do not waver or give in. Please. We do not have the luxury of time to wait for your technical arguments and debates. Every moment you remain undecided is an opportunity for them to close in on Bato,” she said.
The senator’s wife further appealed to the public to amplify her message, saying the controversy involves not only her family but also national interest and sovereignty.
“Laban ko to para sa asawa ko. Pero laban nating lahat to para sa bawat Pilipino at para sa ating bayan,” she said.
Dela Rosa is facing an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign when he headed the Philippine National Police./PN
