The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, amid the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said on Friday.
During a press briefing, Vida said the directive places the senator under close monitoring by immigration and border control authorities, who have been instructed to alert law enforcement if he attempts to leave the country.
“We’ve sent notices to our border control authorities. In effect, if he will be sighted or if he will be seen trying to flee the country, he will be arrested,” Vida said in a press briefing.
“The Department of Justice will treat any attempt of Senator Bato Dela Rosa to leave the country as a mockery of justice. And I am giving specific orders to law enforcement agents, to our border control authorities that if Senator Bato Dela Rosa would try to leave the country that the appropriate arrest should be made,” he added.
This follows the DOJ’s confirmation that the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against the senator is valid. He also confirmed that the ICC arrest warrant had been duly received by the Philippine government.
“I do confirm that there is a valid ICC arrest warrant and a pending request from ICC to serve the same has been duly received by the Philippines,“ he said.
Vida, however, clarified that law enforcement agencies will still observe legal processes and await any further guidance from the Supreme Court (SC) before taking additional action.
“Because of the arrest warrant, we will definitely submit to the request of the ICC. Kasi, we're hearing him out. Pinapakinggan natin sila. Sitting senator si Senator Bato. Pero pag may attempt ka na umalis sa Pilipinas, teka, ibang usapan na ’to,” he noted.
“Nirerespeto natin ang mga karapatan ng isang nakaupong senator. Halal siya ng maraming Pilipino. Pero kapag nag-attempt ka, sa kalagitnaan ng ganitong sitwasyon, na lilipad ka o pupunta ka, ibang usapan na. Hindi naman namin puwedeng pabayaan ‘yung obligasyon ng ating gobyerno na mapanagot siya,” Vida said.
Despite the directive, the DOJ said there is currently no manhunt operation against the senator, but monitoring at all points of exit remains in effect.
