Bato: We can't control DOJ engagement with ICC

After the Justice Department expressed openness to engage with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said on Monday that they had no control over whether or not the Justice Department talks with the ICC.

"Go ahead kung anong gusto nila. Hindi namin sila maco-control… Basta ako, very solid ‘yung aking paniniwala na walang jurisdiction ang ICC sa ating bansa," said dela Rosa, reacting to the DOJ's pronouncements. 

(They can go ahead with whatever they want. We cannot control them. As for me, my firm belief is that the ICC has no jurisdiction in our country.) 

"Pumasok kayo dito, ICC. We will go to the Supreme Court, we will seek judicial relief kung talaga bang may jurisdiction ang ICC dito," he added.  

(Come in here, ICC. We will go to the Supreme Court, and we will seek judicial relief to determine if the ICC truly has jurisdiction here.)

Dela Rosa, as the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during the Duterte administration's drug war and who described himself as the "number two accused" in the ICC's probe, reiterated that he would not acknowledge any communications from the ICC, as doing so would imply recognition of its authority.

The senator also said that the ICC's insistence that it investigate the drug war despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute—the treaty that established the ICC—showed that the investigation was less about justice and more about the ICC's "control" of member states.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa defended the drug war, calling it a "great success" and citing stories from Filipinos who thanked him for making the country safer.

Government records indicate that around 6,200 individuals were killed during anti-drug operations. However, human rights organizations estimate the death toll could be as high as 30,000 due to unreported but related killings.

The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, after the tribunal initiated a probe into the drug war.

In January 2023, the ICC authorized the reopening of its inquiry, which had been suspended in November 2021. 

By July 2023, the ICC Appeals Chamber denied the Philippine government's plea to halt the investigation, prompting many officials to criticize continued engagement with the tribunal.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. affirmed that the government would not enforce any ICC arrest warrant against Duterte. 

He also reiterated his stance that the ICC lacks jurisdiction in the Philippines and poses a threat to the nation's sovereignty. — DVM, GMA Integrated News