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Ex-presidents

Malacanang Doubles Down on Position on Sen. dela Rosa's Possible Arrest

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Manila, Philippines – Malacanang has reinforced its stance on the possible arrest of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa as a co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has yet to issue a warrant of arrest against the senator, but Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that the government will not alter its approach to arrests without explicit direction from the Supreme Court. Bersamin noted that the arrest of Duterte in March followed the law, as outlined in Republic Act No. 9851, and that the government will continue to follow established procedures for apprehending individuals with warrants from the ICC or Interpol. Bersamin clarified that any decision to have del Rosa arrested would be based on a warrant issued by the ICC or Interpol, and would not be discriminatory or politically motivated.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malacanang has reiterated its stance on the possible arrest of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa as a co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity at the ICC.
  • Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin clarified that the government will follow established procedures for apprehending individuals with warrants from the ICC or Interpol without exception, unless directed otherwise by the Supreme Court.
  • The arrest of former President Duterte in March 2023 was in compliance with Republic Act No. 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
  • The government will not discriminate or make politically motivated decisions regarding the arrest of suspects with warrants from the ICC or Interpol.
  • Sen. dela Rosa's name is mentioned as a possible co-conspirator in a March 13 ICC document, but the names of all co-conspirators were redacted.
  • The case against former President Duterte concerns extrajudicial killings spanning from 2011 to 2019 as part of the war on drugs initiated by Duterte as mayor of Davao City and later as president.
  • The Philippines was still part of the Rome Statute during the mentioned time period.

Statistics:

  • Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2023, by the Philippine National Police and Interpol under a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC.
  • Former President Duterte is currently detained at The Hague, where he will stand trial for crimes against humanity.
  • Republic Act No. 9851, also known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, was enacted with no specified date mentioned in the source.
  • Interpol released a diffusion notice prior to Duterte's arrest after consultations with the Philippine government, which agreed to comply with the request for arrest.

Sources:

  • Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, as quoted in the article.
  • A March 13 ICC document on Duterte's case, as mentioned in the article.
  • Republic Act No. 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
  • Interpol, for the diffusion notice mentioned in the article.

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