Latest news with #OplanTokhang
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Bersamin: No ICC warrant for Bato, but PH authorities will act if there is one
No warrant of arrest has been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Senator "Bato" dela Rosa in relation to the previous administration's war on drugs, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Sunday. However, should the ICC issue an arrest warrant for the senator through Interpol, Philippine authorities may arrest him, he said. 'Wala (There is none),' Bersamin told reporters who covered the departure of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for the US at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. 'If there should be a warrant, we'll probably do the same thing that we did in the case of the former president [Rodrigo Duterte], if the warrant is coursed through the Interpol because we continue to be a member of the Interpol," Bersamin said. 'We are not going to do things differently unless the Supreme Court in those pending cases makes a different announcement about how we should proceed,' he added. This move, Bersamin said, is non-discriminatory since it is in accordance with the law. 'Nothing discriminatory that we will ever undertake. We're always clear about that, hindi kami (we're not) politically motivated. All those attributions to us were unfair,' Bersamin said. GMA News Online contacted the office of dela Rosa to get his comment on the matter but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. The Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity stated that Philippine authorities may dispense with the investigation or prosecution if another court or international tribunal is already conducting the investigation. 'Instead, the authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties,' the measure read. Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, served as police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte's administration. Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant issued by the ICC through Interpol. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for crimes against humanity charges in connection with the killings under his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and when he was president of the Philippines. In March, Dela Rosa was named among the co-perpetrators of Duterte in the war on drugs, as shown in the application of warrant of arrest posted on the ICC website. He was identified as the architect of "Oplan Tokhang," which was first implemented in Davao City when he was then the local police chief. According to police records, drug war deaths totaled about 6,000 Human rights groups however claimed that the death toll was 30,000, including vigilante killings. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace: No word yet if arrest warrant out vs. Bato, others in Duterte drug war
Malacañang said Thursday it has yet to receive communication if an arrest warrant has already been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and other alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in his drug war. At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Kyodo News that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the International Criminal Court issues a warrant of arrest. "Sa ngayon, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication kung mayroon na pong warrant of arrest para sa mga co-perpetrators ni dating Pangulong Duterte," Castro said. (At present, we have not received any communication if there's a warrant of arrest against former President Duterte's co-perpetrators.) In March, it was reported that nine individuals were tagged as co-perpetrators of the former president as shown in the application of warrant of arrest posted in the ICC website. There were particular individuals who were named because of their role in the previous administration's controversial campaign against illegal drugs. Among them was Dela Rosa, who was identified as the architect of "Oplan Tokhang," which was first implemented in Davao City when he was then the local police chief. Dela Rosa later served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who led the nationwide implementation of the war on drugs under the Duterte administration. The former top cop earlier tagged himself as the number two accused in the ICC case against the former president. Dela Rosa admitted before that he was considering hiding and not surrendering in the event that authorities implement a warrant of arrest issued by the tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands. Incumbent PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said authorities are planning contingencies amid the possible issuance of an arrest warrant. Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
