MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) alerted its airport and maritime units for the possibility of Sen 'Bato' dela Rosa (pic) leaving the country in view of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
“Police forces… were alerted to be on the lookout and to intensify intelligence monitoring on all exit points, including the southern backdoor,” PNP chief Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said in a statement on Thursday (May 21).
“The Philippine National Police… has alerted the personnel of the Maritime Group and the Aviation Security Group against any attempt of Sen Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa to leave the country,” he noted.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the ICC over crimes against humanity charges in connection with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which killed up to 30,000 Filipinos, according to estimates by human rights groups.
The ICC publicly confirmed its warrant against dela Rosa last May 11.
The National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the warrant but stood down when the Senate took dela Rosa into its protective custody.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied dela Rosa’s request to block the enforcement of the ICC warrant.
“We are waiting for the final guidance of the DOJ (Department of Justice) in relation to the recent decision of the Supreme Court,” Nartatez noted.
“We in the PNP are not the sole decision-maker on this particular issue. There are still legal matters involved,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
