MANILA, Philippines — The legal team of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday warned that the Philippine government has no legal basis to invoke Section 17 of Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity to justify surrendering the senator to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The statement, made through the Law Firm of Torreon and Partners headed by Israelito Torreon, was issued amid reports that the ICC has issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa, with a diffusion order allegedly circulated to international law enforcement agencies for possible surveillance and enforcement.
The legal team said there were indications that the government may again rely on Section 17 of RA 9851 to justify the “immediate surrender” of Dela Rosa to The Hague.