Expressing his displeasure over reports that International Criminal Court (ICC) probers have already conducted their investigation in the country, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said Malacañang should be “man enough” to clarify its position on this matter and avoid “behind the back” moves.
Dela Rosa aired a strongly worded response to such development in a press conference held at the Senate, Monday, Jan. 22. “What I am asking from this government is to be man enough to please tell us what’s the real score. Sabihan lang [kami] (Just tell us),” he said.
“Wala namang problema diyan. Sabihan lang, ‘wag lang… Wala lang patalikod na transaksyon. (There is no problem with that. Just tell us, do not… Just none of this behind the back transaction),” the senator added.
Dela Rosa said he trusted President Marcos who told him before that he would not allow the ICC to proceed with its planned investigation of the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that happened under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte because of his ‘war on drugs’ policy.
At the time, Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, who enforced the policy under the now infamous operation plan named “tokhang”—a Visayan slang word that became synonymous with EJKs or summary executions.
“‘Pag sinabihan mo ako noon na hindi kayo pwedeng… Hindi sila pwedeng pumasok, at ngayon nagbago ‘yung ihip ng hangin, pumayag na kayo na pumasok (When you said before they [ICC] would not be allowed entry, and now the wind has changed, and you are allowing them), please tell us,” Dela Rosa said, addressing the President.
“You are our President, you are our leader, tell us so that we know what to do. ‘Yun lang naman ang amin (That is only what we’re after).”
Dela Rosa made his comments after former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV disclosed in a recent media report that there were ICC investigators, who visited the country last December and managed to gather enough evidence against Duterte.
Citing his own sources, Trillanes also claimed that a warrant of arrest from ICC might be served to the former president “very, very soon.” While he feels disappointed, Dela Rosa said he cannot do anything about it.
“If you ‘feel bad,’ you will be at the losing end. Your heart will be affected,” Dela Rosa said. Asked if he will cooperate with the ICC probe, once allowed by the government, he said he is duty-bound and morally-bound to obey the government.
International lawyer Harry Roque will defend Dela Rosa. Sen. Francis Tolentino will be part of his legal team as well. As regards an arrest order, Dela Rosa said “anything can happen under the heat of the sun.” The former police chief also vowed he will not go into hiding.