Bato dela Rosa appeals before SC anew for judicial protection amid ICC warrant, PNP subpoena

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has filed a new manifestation before the Supreme Court (SC) for immediate judicial protection, his camp said Monday.

In a statement, the Law Firm of Torreon and Partners said they filed an urgent manifestation with omnibus motion for guidance on the legal effect of the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

They also reiterated their appeal for the issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction prohibiting the arrest or transfer of Dela Rosa to any foreign tribunal without prior judicial authorization.

“The events involving former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte demonstrate how quickly a person may be taken from Philippine territory once executive action is set in motion. In such a situation, judicial review may become practically difficult, if not ineffectual, once foreign custody is completed,” the law firm said.

“We therefore respectfully and humbly plead before the Supreme Court to act now, before that window closes again,” it added.

His camp said there “appears to be a coordinated, three-layered enforcement strategy” against him following Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s remark that the department is preparing a task force amid reports of an alleged ICC warrant.

The Philippine National Police also issued a subpoena to Dela Rosa, a former head of the PNP, over its separate probe on extrajudicial killings that occurred when he was the occurred when he was the city director of the Davao City Police.

“This is fatal. A subpoena cannot be used as a convenient pretext to physically bring a person to Camp Crame while the Government awaits a possible international warrant or notice. That is not legitimate law enforcement. It is a surrogate arrest mechanism,” the law firm said.

Earlier, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV showed a copy of an ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.

The senator is currently under the protective custody of the Senate. —RF, GMA News