PNP revokes Bato dela Rosa's 117 firearms licenses

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it revoked the firearms licenses of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co confirmed to GMA News Online that the order was issued by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

In an order on Tuesday, FEO chief Brigadier General Jojo Manalad said the action was grounded to Section 4 of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The FEO earlier cited a pending criminal case carrying a penalty of more than two years for the recommendation to revoke Dela Rosa’s gun licenses.

Under the FEO order, the 117 firearms registered under Dela Rosa’s name must be immediately confiscated or deposited with the FEO or the Regional Civil Security Unit 11 for proper disposition in accordance with the law.

Not ground for revocation of firearms licenses

Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, questioned the legality of the move, saying Section 4(g) cited by the FEO was not a ground for revocation of firearms licenses.

Torreon argued that Section 4 of the law actually pertains to the standards and requisites for obtaining a firearms license, while Section 39 specifically enumerates the grounds for revocation.

“Section 39 has ten grounds. Pending criminal case before any court? Not one of them. The only criminal-law grounds are: conviction under Section 39(b), and a court order under Section 39(j). Senator Dela Rosa has been convicted of nothing. No Philippine court has issued any order against him,” Torreon said in a statement.

He also disputed the argument that the ICC could be considered a “court of law” under the Doctrine of Incorporation.

“The ICC was not established by Philippine law. Its orders cannot be reviewed by Philippine courts. Its judges are not appointed under our Constitution. It is not a ‘court of law’ under R.A. 10591,” Torreon said.

He added that the case involving religious leader Apollo Quiboloy was different because Quiboloy faced charges before Philippine courts.

Torreon also criticized authorities for allegedly classifying Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous” while revoking his firearms licenses.

“The Supreme Court has said it has not resolved whether the ICC warrant is enforceable in the Philippines. Six constitutional questions remain open,” he said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the PNP but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News