DOJ's Vida asks Bato dela Rosa to surrender: Heed the call of the rule of law

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Tuesday appealed to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender to authorities, following his disappearance again from the public eye amid the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.

Last week, Vida tasked law enforcement agencies to arrest dela Rosa, whom he called a fugitive from justice.

“Sa akin po, pakiusap bilang kapwa Pilipino kay Senator Bato dela Rosa, heed the call of the rule of law. Alam ninyo, kapag may arrest warrant, dapat sine-serve at dapat sinusunod,” he said in a press briefing.

(For me, as a fellow Filipino, my appeal to Senator Bato dela Rosa is to heed the call of the rule of law. You know that when there is an arrest warrant, it should be served and it should be obeyed.)

Dela Rosa is the subject of an arrest warrant for “alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator” in the crimes against humanity of murder from July 3, 2016, until the end of April 2018, wherein at least 32 persons died.

Authorities attempted to serve the warrant against him on May 11, leading to a chase inside the Senate building. He was later placed under protective custody by the upper chamber before he left the Senate premises on May 14.

Vida said that all indications show that dela Rosa is “still within the jurisdiction of the Philippines.”

Obstruction of justice

Meanwhile, Vida said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is also looking into the possible culpability of Senator Robin Padilla, who had admitted that dela Rosa “hitched a ride” with him out of the Senate building on May 14.

“Kayo na rin po ang nagsabi kung bakit hindi na namin siya tinatanong. Ang dami na ho niyang inamin na ginawa niya,” Vida said when asked about the lack of subpoena for the senator.

(You yourselves already said why we are no longer questioning him. He has already admitted to so many things that he did.)

“Our panel of prosecutors will study everything… that, based on these admissions, based on this factual milieu or factual circumstance, can lead to a conclusion that he or a person is probably guilty of a particular crime. Hindi naman po lagi kailangan tatanungin pa, dahil may mga bagay ho factual na,” he added.

(Some information are already factual, thus there is no need to ask.)

Despite this, Vida said that the DOJ is open should Padilla reach out to the DOJ to provide an explanation.

For his part, Padilla has maintained that he did not help dela Rosa “escape.”

Vida said that public officials found guilty of obstruction of justice may be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

“Let me remind also that if you are a public official or employee found guilty of committing these acts, there’s an accessory penalty that you would be perpetually disqualified from holding public office,” he said.

When asked about other possible ICC arrest warrants, Vida said the DOJ is always ready to implement its mandate.

Letter to Jimmy Bondoc

Meanwhile, the DOJ will issue a letter requesting Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, dela Rosa’s legal counsel, to provide the department with all information in his possession regarding the whereabouts of dela Rosa, according to Vida.

This came after Bondoc admitted that he knew the location of his client.

“This is an opportunity for Atty. Bondoc to cooperate with legal processes and assist law enforcement authorities in the proper service of the ICC warrant,” he said.

When asked about the client-lawyer privilege, Vida said that it does not excuse a lawyer from concealing suspects or offenders.

“My position is that the client-lawyer privilege doesn’t excuse him, being an officer of the court, being a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines covered by the law, doesn’t excuse him from cooperating or doesn't excuse him from committing crimes, like concealing offenders, misleading authorities or delaying legal process,” he said.

He said the DOJ will look into Bondoc’s possible liability should he refuse to cooperate.

Bondoc reacts

When sought for comment, Bondoc said neither he nor their legal team possess information on dela Rosa’s location or well-being.

“All we can assure the government is based on surrounding circumstances, there is absolutely no evidence to assume that Senator Bato dela Rosa is armed and dangerous,” he said.

“This is not supported by any credible evidence, nor by my personal knowledge of the Senator’s good character. Regardless of media’s portrayal, he was and will always be an officer and a gentleman,” he added.

Bondoc said he will comply and formally file an answer.

Subpoena

Vida also said the DOJ special panel of prosecutors has also issued a subpoena to the Office of the Senate Secretary for the production of documents in connection with its investigation into the gun-related incident at the Senate.

This includes the oath of office of suspended acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca.

The DOJ chief said they also requested an inventory of firearms available and owned by the Senate and their corresponding issuance documents.

Aside from this, the DOJ asked for the Senate security logs.

According to Vida, prosecutors also issued a subpoena to the Commission on Audit and the Philippine National Police for an inventory of the firearms owned by the Senate. —AOL/KG, GMA News