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Malacañang on Wednesday called on Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa to turn himself in and face the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) so that a potentially violent confrontation could be prevented.
"Sumuko ka na. Sumuko ka na kasi para wala nang dugong dadanak," Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
(Just surrender. Turn yourself in so that no more blood will be shed.)
Castro made the call after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Dela Rosa was in Mindanao under the protection of a group with which authorities were seeking to negotiate his turnover.
Remulla explained that law enforcement officers could not simply move in to arrest the embattled senator without risking a violent confrontation.
On the part of the Palace, Castro asked the protectors of Dela Rosa not to serve as instruments for individuals who should be held accountable under the law.
"Doon sa mga nagkakanlong, alam po natin na dapat natin pairalin ang batas. So huwag kayong magsilbi na kasangkapan ng mga taong dapat nadidinig din o mga taong dapat napapanagot sa batas," she said.
(For those protecting him, remember that the law must be upheld. Do not serve as instruments for individuals who ought to be heard, or who should be held accountable under the law.)
"Huwag po kayong magsilbing tulay para makaalpas ang mga masasabi nating taong may dapat na kaharapin sa mga taong kanilang diumanong nabiktima," she added.
(Do not act as a bridge that allows those who need to face justice for their alleged victims to break free.
GMA News Online reached out to the office of Dela Rosa for a comment and will update this story once it responds.
Dela Rosa has been issued an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte, which supposedly killed thousands of people.
Duterte is already detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, while awaiting his crimes against humanity trial. — VDV, GMA News