SC clears way for Bato arrest

Government authorities may now move to implement the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa after the Supreme Court rejected his request for a temporary restraining order, according to Justice Secretary Frederick Vida.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Vida said the absence of any restraining order from the high court effectively removes legal obstacles to the enforcement of the ICC warrant.

“First, there’s a valid arrest warrant issued by the ICC. Second, he is not in the Senate premises. Third, there’s no TRO or any interim order from the Supreme Court. Fourth, the arrest warrant is now enforceable. So, it will be enforced, and it will be served,” he said.

Vida stressed that authorities would follow established legal procedures in carrying out any operation against Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign.

“(T)here’s coordination among the various law enforcement agencies. There are existing guidelines and standard operating procedures to effect the arrest, and all of this will be followed,” he added.

Dela Rosa is among those being investigated by the ICC over alleged crimes tied to the Duterte administration’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Earlier last week, the Office of the Solicitor General asked the Supreme Court to dismiss Dela Rosa’s plea for a TRO, arguing that the Philippines remains bound by international legal obligations and accountability mechanisms.

The Philippine National Police, for its part, said it acknowledged the Department of Justice’s position and would continue to operate within the bounds of the law.

“The PNP respects the processes of the justice system and recognizes the authority of competent government agencies in the implementation of lawful orders,” PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“As a law enforcement agency, the PNP shall perform its mandate in accordance with existing laws, due process, and established operational procedures,” he added.

Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Robert Alexander Morico II said the police unit is prepared to mobilize once formal instructions are issued by the PNP leadership.

“After there is an order already and when the Chief PNP has directed us, we will use the entire CIDG unit from every region and for every province in coordination with other territorial police units,” Morico said in a phone interview.

Amid the developments, Senator Risa Hontiveros called on Dela Rosa to cooperate with authorities and respect judicial processes.

“The rule of law should always prevail. Dapat manaig ang pagrespeto sa batas at prosesong legal,” she said.

Hontiveros reiterated her appeal for the senator to comply with authorities.

“Inuulit ko ang aming panawagan kay Senator Dela Rosa: Igalang ang batas, at mag-submit at makipagtulungan sa mga alagad at proseso ng batas,” she said.