MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ronald dela Rosa on Wednesday rejected calls for him to voluntarily surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), insisting that he would first exhaust all available legal remedies amid the ongoing investigation linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa made the statement in response to a Senate resolution filed by five senators urging him to cooperate with the ICC proceedings.
“Let them wait because I still have available legal remedies,” the senator said, maintaining that he intends to pursue all legal options before considering surrender.
AWAITING SUPREME COURT ACTION
The senator’s remarks came ahead of an anticipated special en banc session of the Supreme Court, which is expected to deliberate on his petition seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
Despite the legal uncertainty, Dela Rosa expressed confidence that the High Court would remain impartial in resolving the matter.
“I expect the Supreme Court to be fair and free from pressure,” he said, adding that he would accept the outcome regardless of the ruling.
The senator also clarified that any possible cooperation on his part would depend on actions taken by Philippine courts rather than international authorities.
According to Dela Rosa, if a local court were to issue a warrant against him, he would still seek relief by elevating the matter to higher courts.
RESPONDS TO VIRAL NBI ENCOUNTER
Dela Rosa also addressed circulating CCTV footage showing him fleeing from individuals who later identified themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The senator described his reaction as instinctive, saying he believed he was about to be arrested.
“Run for your life because they were about to arrest you,” he said, recalling how he allegedly pulled away and ran after being approached.
He denied accusations that he acted aggressively toward the agents, explaining that he merely struggled to break free and escape the situation.
MAY STAY AT SENATE AMID LEGAL UNCERTAINTY
Amid growing speculation over possible legal actions, Dela Rosa said he is prepared to remain inside the Senate premises while continuing to perform his duties as a lawmaker.
He even joked that staying at the Senate could help him save on fuel expenses.
BACKGROUND: ICC PROBE AND DUTERTE DRUG WAR
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police during the height of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which has long faced allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity connected to the drug war, particularly deaths linked to police operations conducted between 2016 and 2019.
Human rights organizations estimate that thousands were killed during anti-drug operations, while government officials have consistently denied allegations of systematic abuses, insisting that police acted within the bounds of the law.
Dela Rosa has repeatedly defended the campaign and denied wrongdoing, maintaining that law enforcement operations were legitimate efforts to combat illegal drugs and criminality.