Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa plans to ask Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for protection should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue a warrant for his arrest. He hopes the Senate will not turn him over to authorities if such a situation arises.
Dela Rosa, who served as the chief enforcer of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, spoke out on Wednesday following Duterte’s arrest and extradition to the ICC headquarters in the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity.
He admitted he has yet to discuss the matter with Escudero but intends to do so soon.
“Hanggat kaya ng Senate President [na] kupkupin muna ako na hindi muna niya ako i-surrender kung may warrant of arrest na [at] may session kami. I hope respetuhin din siya ng executive branch of government kasi meron naman yang mga ganon na protocol,” he said in an Inquirer.net report.
Dela Rosa, along with Duterte, faces accusations of human rights violations linked to the anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.
Under the 1987 Constitution, members of Congress are granted immunity from arrest while the legislature is in session, as long as the offense carries a penalty of six years or less. This provision ensures lawmakers can perform their duties without fear of legal repercussions.
The Senate website states that such privileges exist “not with the intention of protecting the members against prosecutors for their own benefit, but to support the rights of the people.”
