By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday expressed dismay over Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s plan to go into hiding to evade possible arrest because of his involvement in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it is surprising that such statement came from Dela Rosa, who was a former chief of the Philippine National Police.
Castro said dela Rosa is setting a bad precedent, as his fellow Filipinos might think that evading arrest is acceptable.
“Iyan po ba ang gusto niya ring ipahiwatig sa taumbayan na kapag may warrant of arrest ay dapat magtago (Is that what he also wants to convey to the people that when there is an arrest warrant, one should hide),” Castro asked.
“Hindi natin sinasang-ayunan ang ganoong klaseng paniniwala at kaniyang nais gawin. Hindi po ito makakabuti sa mga kababayan natin na mismong lider natin ay hindi haharapin ang anumang kaso o complaint na naisampa o maisasampa sa kanya (We do not agree with that kind of belief and what he wants to do. This will not be good for our countrymen that our own leader will not face any case or complaint that has been filed or will be filed against him),” she said.
Castro said the Philippine government would cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), once it seeks assistance if and when the arrest order against dela Rosa is out.
“Ganoon pa rin po ang ating gagawin. Makikipag-coordinate pa rin po tayo sa Interpol. At maaari po nating gamitin ang sinasabi sa batas na RA (Republic Act) 9851 (That is what we will still do. We will still coordinate with Interpol. And we can use what is said in the law RA 9851),” she said.
Section 70 of RA 9851 states that “authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties.”
Dela Rosa is among the key personalities who are the subject of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the drug war launched by Duterte, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a Palace press briefing on March 13.
The DOJ, however, clarified that there is no arrest warrant yet against dela Rosa. (PNA)
