ICC arrest warrants for Bato, Bong Go may come out ‘early next year’ - Trillanes

Arrest warrants may be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, who are known allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

In a report on “Balitanghali” on Wednesday, Trillanes said the arrest warrants may come out “early next year.” 

“‘Yung warrant [mula sa ICC], ang ine-expect na lang natin ay dalawa. Isa kay Bato [Dela Rosa], isa para kay Bong Go…Ang estimate ko diyan, baka mga early next year pa,” he said following his visit to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is based.

(We are expecting two warrants from the ICC. One is for Bato and the other for Bong Go…My estimate is they may come out by early next year.) 

Dela Rosa was Duterte's first Philippine National Police chief who implemented the war on drugs in the previous administration.

Meanwhile, Go was a longtime aide to Duterte.

Dela Rosa already said that he’s ready to face the ICC, while Go maintained that he had no involvement in the drug war. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the senators for comments. 

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” Trillanes also expects former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma to face the ICC. Garma is a former police official who disclosed that a cash reward system was implemented for every drug suspect killed during the Duterte administration. 

“Si Royina Garma will be a witness laban kay Duterte sa ICC. Kasama na siya sa listahan ng mga witnesses,” said Trillanes. 

(Royina Garma will be a witness against Duterte in the ICC. She is included in the list of witnesses.) 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that Garma traveled to Malaysia last month for a meeting with ICC representatives, as she has already consented to testify against the former president.

Trillanes is reportedly in constant coordination with the ICC to submit evidence and help look for witnesses in relation to the crimes against humanity charges against Duterte. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News