Nancy Dela Rosa, wife of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, issued an urgent appeal to the judiciary, asking the courts not to allow her husband to be brought to The Hague as authorities move to enforce the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
In a statement, Nancy urged the judiciary to defend what she called the country’s “sovereign rights” and resist any move that would bring the senator before the ICC.
“Please do not be an accessory to bringing my husband to the Hague. Every Filipino must be tried in his own country,” she said.
Her appeal came after the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa on May 11 over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war. The ICC said the warrant was issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I, while Dela Rosa has denied involvement in unlawful killings.
Nancy warned that allowing the government to voluntarily surrender another Filipino would send the wrong message about the country’s justice system.
“Granting the people in power permission to voluntary surrender another Filipino is an admission that you are weak and INCAPABLE of handling this case, thus the need for an international court to intervene,” she said.
The Supreme Court earlier denied Dela Rosa’s plea for a temporary restraining order against the ICC warrant, but clarified that its action was not a ruling on the enforceability of the ICC warrant within Philippine jurisdiction. Justice officials have said the government intends to act on the warrant.
Nancy pressed the judiciary to decide quickly, saying delay could give authorities time to move closer to her husband.
“We do not have the luxury of time to wait for your technical arguments and debates. Every moment you remain undecided is an opportunity for them to close in on Bato,” she said.
She also invoked the Duterte case, saying the lesson should be “NOT to give up another Filipino,” and appealed to the courts to defend national sovereignty.
“Please do not give up your responsibility for our countrymen. Please fight for our sovereign rights. Your decision will be remembered in history. Please make it count,” Nancy said.
