Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity, Sen. Bato dela Rosa immediately appealed to the Philippine Senate leadership not to immediately “surrender him” should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue a warrant for his arrest. Dela Rosa is among the main architects and implementers of the bloody war on drugs, as Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration.

Youth leader and Kabataan Party-list second nominee Jose Paolo Echavez condemned dela Rosa’s statement in light of the senator’s years of bravado against the ICC. “Where is your bravery? Especially now that the ICC has finally bared its fangs, you suddenly seek legal protection?” Echavez mocked dela Rosa.

The youth leader said this is a huge insult to the victims of the war on drugs. “While [the victims of the war on drugs] were not even given the chance to fight for their rights, here you are, desperate to save yourself,” Echavez stated. He said Dela Rosa’s actions are humiliating in the face of the suffering of the victims’ relatives.

“Now that the ICC is demanding accountability, your true colors are finally showing. Just surrender to the ICC!” Echavez challenged his fellow Bisaya dela Rosa. The youth leader also taunted dela Rosa by throwing him back the phrase “what are you so afraid of if you are innocent,” which Duterte and his administration usually use against “drug addicts” and activists.

ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said it is very likely that dela Rosa, former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde and three other PNP officials will be next to receive arrest warrants from the ICC. Her suspicion is high because their names are included and mentioned in the ICC documents.

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero responded on March 17, to dela Rosa’s request. He said the senator can stay inside the Senate until he exhausts all legal remedies. “That is probably limited until the court clearly decides regarding his availing of his judicial remedies, which is his right not only as a senator, but as an ordinary citizen,” Escudero stated.