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Philippine Government Opposes Dela Rosa Bid to Block ICC Arrest Order
State lawyers urged the Supreme Court to reject Ronald dela Rosa’s motions, saying he is a fugitive and ICC cooperation remains required.
The Philippine government asked the Philippine Supreme Court to deny Senator Ronald Dela Rosa's petition to stop his arrest following an International Criminal Court warrant issuance for alleged crimes against humanity.
Last week, the International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant accusing Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte as co-perpetrators of the "crime against humanity of murder" during the 2016 drug crackdown.
Solicitor-General Darlene Berberabe argued in a Sunday filing that Dela Rosa is a "fugitive" for avoiding judicial process, citing case law that failure to appear before the court constitutes fugitive behavior.
With his whereabouts unknown since leaving the Senate on Thursday, the Department of Justice stated the warrant will be served only after the Supreme Court resolves his petition unless he attempts to flee abroad.
Dela Rosa maintains the warrant is illegal, citing the Philippines' 2019 withdrawal from the tribunal, though Berberabe argued withdrawal "does not relieve a state party from cooperating in proceedings already initiated.
The Philippine government asks the Supreme Court to authorize the arrest of former police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, who is the subject of a mandate from the International Criminal Court The government