Bato Dela Rosa vows to evade ICC arrest: ‘I won’t let them’

Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa —SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday vowed not to be caught by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he would only allow himself to be arrested if ordered by a local court.

Like former President Rodrigo Duterte, Dela Rosa is also charged with crimes against humanity at the ICC in connection with the  previous administration’s war on drugs. He served as Duterte’s first police chief.

“Didn’t you ask earlier, in what instance will I allow to get arrested? If the warrant of arrest they have is issued by a local court, then they can arrest me,” the senator said in a phone patch interview with Senate reporters.

READ: Bato dela Rosa, et. al: Cast of characters in Duterte drug war

“But if their warrant of arrest  is issued by the ICC, I won’t let them arrest me,” he stressed.

On ICC’s order, Duterte was arrested on March 11 upon  his arrival from Hong Kong.

The arrest warrant was issued by the ICC and enforced by the  International Criminal Police Organization with the  kelp of local  authorities.

READ: Bato Dela Rosa mulls going into hiding amid possible ICC arrest

Asked if that means he would not allow ICC to arrest him, Dela Rosa answered in the affirmative.

“If they corner me, then they can arrest me. But if they don’t,  they can’t get me,” he said.

The senator assured everyone he would not leave the Philippines amid talks of his possible arrest by the ICC.

Initially, the senator  sought protection from the Senate, but he also later floated the idea of going into hiding as one of his options.